Protein-based materials in load-bearing tissue-engineering applications

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Sayin E., Baran E. T., Hasirci V.

REGENERATIVE MEDICINE, vol.9, no.5, pp.687-701, 2014 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Review
  • Volume: 9 Issue: 5
  • Publication Date: 2014
  • Doi Number: 10.2217/rme.14.52
  • Journal Name: REGENERATIVE MEDICINE
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.687-701
  • Keywords: biomaterial, load bearing, protein, regeneration, scaffold, tissue engineering, SILK FIBROIN SCAFFOLDS, MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES, COLLAGEN SCAFFOLDS, STEM-CELLS, COMPOSITE SCAFFOLDS, ARTICULAR-CARTILAGE, ELASTIN, BONE, REGENERATION, GELATIN
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Proteins such as collagen and elastin are robust molecules that constitute nanocomponents in the hierarchically organized ultrastructures of bone and tendon as well as in some of the soft tissues that have load-bearing functions. In the present paper, the macromolecular structure and function of the proteins are reviewed and the potential of mammalian and non-mammalian proteins in the engineering of load-bearing tissue substitutes are discussed. Chimeric proteins have become an important structural biomaterial source and their potential in tissue engineering is highlighted. Processing of proteins challenge investigators and in this review rapid prototyping and microfabrication are proposed as methods for obtaining precisely defined custom-built tissue engineered structures with intrinsic microarchitecture.