The Biocompatibility of Silk Scaffold for Tissue Engineered Ligaments

The aim of this study was to estimate the mechanical properties and evaluate the biocompatibility of silk and PGA scaffolds as an artificial ligament to an ACL reconstruction. The scaffold for the artificial ligament was braided / knitted silk or PGA thread. The mechanical properties, cell growth, and subcutaneous tissue reactions were determined for both types of scaffolds. The breaking load of the PGA scaffold was double that of the sericin removed silk scaffold (SRSS). However, the initial attachment and growth of human ACL cells on the SRSS was superior to the PGA scaffold. In addition, the immune response was significantly higher on the PGA scaffold after 72 h (p