Structure-property relationship of regenerated spider silk protein nano/microfibrous scaffold fabricated by electrospinning

The regenerated Araneus ventricosus spider dragline silk protein fibrous scaffold with moderate strength and flexibility was fabricated by electrospinning and post treatment with 90 vol % acetone. The effect of collection method on the morphology of regenerated spider silk protein (RSSP) fibrous scaffold, the effects of the post treatment solvents and their concentrations on the molecular conformation, crystallinity and mechanical properties were studied. The results show that the morphology was affected by the solvent used in the coagulation bath. The molecular conformation, crystallinity and mechanical property of this scaffold were strongly affected by the kind of post treatment solvent and slightly influenced by its concentration when it was higher than 50 vol %. The degradation rate of this scaffold was very slow and resulting in little pH change of the degradation medium within 5 months. PC 12 cells were cultured on the electrospun RSSP fibrous scaffold and in its extraction fluid to examine the changes of PC 12 cells after different times of culture. The results show that the electrospun RSSP fibrous scaffold had good biocompatibility with PC 12 cells.