Hydroxyapatite reinforced inherent RGD containing silk fibroin composite scaffolds: Promising platform for bone tissue engineering

Restoration of damaged or diseased bone tissue can be attained by using porous scaffolds. Cytocompatible and mechanically robust scaffolds are fabricated by embedding silk-fibroin-hydroxyapatite nanocomposites into fibroin scaffolds or by depositing hydroxyapatite nanoparticles on scaffolds. Their potential for osteogenesis is evaluated by osteoblast culture, mineralization and alkaline phosphatase activity. Further their immunogenicity is tested with activated macrophage and macrophage-osteoblast co-culture. The reinforced and coated scaffolds can be tuned further depending on the biodegradation pattern and bone strength.142