Dose-related effects of sericin on preadipocyte behavior within collagen/sericin hybrid scaffolds

This paper aims at demonstrating the biocompatibility of recently developed 3D hydrogel scaffolds containing the same amount of collagen (COLL) and variable concentrations of sericin (SS) in order to find the most suitable formula for adipose tissue engineering (ATE) applications. These scaffolds were obtained by COLL crosslinking with glutaraldehyde followed by freeze-drying and, subsequently, seeded with 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Scanning electron microscopy studies revealed the scaffolds׳ architecture and cellular colonization. Also, in vitro biocompatibility of the developed scaffolds was evaluated by LDH and MTT assays and Live/Dead analysis of 3T3-L1 preadipocyte populating these 3D matrices. The best results in terms of cell survival and proliferation status were obtained in the case of the hybrid COLL scaffold containing 40% SS (COLL–SS4). Furthermore, the biological performance of the analyzed COLL-based hydrogels at 5- and 8- days post-seeding was found to decrease as follows: COLL–SS4>COLL–SS2>COLL>COLL–SS6. Consequently, our study highlights that hybrid scaffolds obtained by the addition of variable concentrations of SS to a constant COLL composition positively influences the behavior of 3T3-L1 cells with the exception of the COLL–SS6 matrix (60% SS). Altogether, the data obtained recommend SS as a component of COLL-based hydrogels providing them with features that may be useful in ATE applications.