Fabrication of functionalized citrus pectin/silk fibroin scaffolds for skin tissue engineering.

In this study, novel porous three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds from silk fibroin (SF) and functionalized (amidated and oxidized) citrus pectin (PEC) were developed for skin tissue engineering applications. Crosslinking was achieved by Schiff's reaction in borax presence as crosslinking coordinating agent and CaCl2 addition. After freeze-drying and methanol treatment, plasma treatment (10 W, 3 min) was applied to remove surface skin layer formed on scaffolds. 3D matrices had high porosity (83%) and interconnectivity with pore size about 120 µm that providing suitable microenvironment for cells. Modifications on PEC chain and crosslinking of scaffolds were verified by fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis and spectrophotometric assay. Scaffolds showed low weight loss (21.3% in 40 days) and high water uptake ability in phosphate-buffered saline (800% in 24 h). Mechanical properties of 3D matrices satisfied the stability of scaffolds under compressive stress and supported adhesion, proliferation and penetration of fibroblast cells. Our results suggested that modified PEC-SF scaffolds would be proposed for use in tissue engineered skin dermal substitutes.