Biological Evaluation of Silver-Treated Silk Fibroin Scaffolds for Application as Antibacterial and Regenerative Wound Dressings
Chronic wounds represent a major clinical challenge due to their prolonged healing process and susceptibility to bacterial colonization, particularly by biofilm-forming bacteria. To address these issues, in this work, silver-treated silk fibroin scaffolds were developed and tested as multifunctional...
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| author | Federica Paladini Carmen Lanzillotti Angelica Panico Mauro Pollini |
| author_facet | Federica Paladini Carmen Lanzillotti Angelica Panico Mauro Pollini |
| author_sort | Federica Paladini |
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| description | Chronic wounds represent a major clinical challenge due to their prolonged healing process and susceptibility to bacterial colonization, particularly by biofilm-forming bacteria. To address these issues, in this work, silver-treated silk fibroin scaffolds were developed and tested as multifunctional wound dressings, combining antimicrobial and regenerative properties. Silk fibroin, a natural protein derived from <i>Bombyx mori</i> cocoons, is widely recognized for its biocompatibility and suitability for tissue engineering. In this study, porous silk fibroin scaffolds were functionalized with silver nanoparticles through a photo-reduction process and were comprehensively tested for their cytocompatibility and wound healing potential. The excellent antibacterial activity of the silver-treated scaffolds was demonstrated against <i>Escherichia coli</i> and antibiotic-resistant <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>, as was extensively reported in a previous work. Biological assays were performed using 3T3 fibroblasts cultured on both untreated and silver-treated silk fibroin scaffolds. Biocompatibility assays, such as MTT, Live/Dead, and cytoskeleton analyses, demonstrated biocompatibility in both scaffold types, comparable to the control. Wound healing potential was assessed using in vitro scratch assays, revealing full wound closure (100%) after 24 h in cells cultured with untreated and silver-treated silk fibroin scaffolds, in contrast to 78.5% closure in the control. Notably, silver-treated scaffolds exhibited enhanced fibroblast repopulation within the wound gap, suggesting a synergistic effect of silver and fibroin in promoting tissue regeneration. These findings demonstrate that silver-treated silk fibroin scaffolds possess both anti-microbial and regenerative properties, making them promising candidates for chronic wound management applications. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-03e51a6431aa433ea9ca66b93dda9be7 |
| institution | Matheson Library |
| issn | 2079-4991 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-03e51a6431aa433ea9ca66b93dda9be72025-06-25T14:14:31ZengMDPI AGNanomaterials2079-49912025-06-01151291910.3390/nano15120919Biological Evaluation of Silver-Treated Silk Fibroin Scaffolds for Application as Antibacterial and Regenerative Wound DressingsFederica Paladini0Carmen Lanzillotti1Angelica Panico2Mauro Pollini3Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Salento, Via Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, ItalyCaresilk S.r.l.s., Via Monteroni c/o Technological District DHITECH, 73100 Lecce, ItalyCaresilk S.r.l.s., Via Monteroni c/o Technological District DHITECH, 73100 Lecce, ItalyDepartment of Experimental Medicine, University of Salento, Via Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, ItalyChronic wounds represent a major clinical challenge due to their prolonged healing process and susceptibility to bacterial colonization, particularly by biofilm-forming bacteria. To address these issues, in this work, silver-treated silk fibroin scaffolds were developed and tested as multifunctional wound dressings, combining antimicrobial and regenerative properties. Silk fibroin, a natural protein derived from <i>Bombyx mori</i> cocoons, is widely recognized for its biocompatibility and suitability for tissue engineering. In this study, porous silk fibroin scaffolds were functionalized with silver nanoparticles through a photo-reduction process and were comprehensively tested for their cytocompatibility and wound healing potential. The excellent antibacterial activity of the silver-treated scaffolds was demonstrated against <i>Escherichia coli</i> and antibiotic-resistant <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>, as was extensively reported in a previous work. Biological assays were performed using 3T3 fibroblasts cultured on both untreated and silver-treated silk fibroin scaffolds. Biocompatibility assays, such as MTT, Live/Dead, and cytoskeleton analyses, demonstrated biocompatibility in both scaffold types, comparable to the control. Wound healing potential was assessed using in vitro scratch assays, revealing full wound closure (100%) after 24 h in cells cultured with untreated and silver-treated silk fibroin scaffolds, in contrast to 78.5% closure in the control. Notably, silver-treated scaffolds exhibited enhanced fibroblast repopulation within the wound gap, suggesting a synergistic effect of silver and fibroin in promoting tissue regeneration. These findings demonstrate that silver-treated silk fibroin scaffolds possess both anti-microbial and regenerative properties, making them promising candidates for chronic wound management applications.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/12/919fibroinsilverwound healingbiocompatibilityregenerative propertiesantimicrobial activity |
| spellingShingle | Federica Paladini Carmen Lanzillotti Angelica Panico Mauro Pollini Biological Evaluation of Silver-Treated Silk Fibroin Scaffolds for Application as Antibacterial and Regenerative Wound Dressings Nanomaterials fibroin silver wound healing biocompatibility regenerative properties antimicrobial activity |
| title | Biological Evaluation of Silver-Treated Silk Fibroin Scaffolds for Application as Antibacterial and Regenerative Wound Dressings |
| title_full | Biological Evaluation of Silver-Treated Silk Fibroin Scaffolds for Application as Antibacterial and Regenerative Wound Dressings |
| title_fullStr | Biological Evaluation of Silver-Treated Silk Fibroin Scaffolds for Application as Antibacterial and Regenerative Wound Dressings |
| title_full_unstemmed | Biological Evaluation of Silver-Treated Silk Fibroin Scaffolds for Application as Antibacterial and Regenerative Wound Dressings |
| title_short | Biological Evaluation of Silver-Treated Silk Fibroin Scaffolds for Application as Antibacterial and Regenerative Wound Dressings |
| title_sort | biological evaluation of silver treated silk fibroin scaffolds for application as antibacterial and regenerative wound dressings |
| topic | fibroin silver wound healing biocompatibility regenerative properties antimicrobial activity |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/12/919 |
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