Structural-Functional Pluralistic Modification of Silk Fibroin via MOF Bridging for Advanced Wound Care

Abstract

Silk fibroin (SF) is widely used to fabricate biomaterials for skin related wound caring or monitoring, and its hydrogel state are preferred for their adaptability and easy to use. However, in–depth development of SF hydrogel is restricted by their limited mechanical strength, increased risk of infection, and inability to accelerate tissue healing. Therefore, a structure–function pluralistic modification strategy using composite system of metal organic framework (MOF) as bridge expanding SF's biomedical application is proposed. After developing the photocuring and bonding SF hydrogel, a MOF drug–loading system is utilized to enhance hydrogel's structural strength while endowing its antibacterial and angiogenic properties, yielding a multifunctional SF hydrogel. The synergy between the MOF and SF proteins at the secondary structure level gives this hydrogel reliable mechanical strength, making it suitable for conventional wound treatment, whether for closing incisions quickly or acting as adhesive dressings (five times the bonding strength of ordinary fibrin glue). Additionally, with the antibacterial and angiogenic functions getting from MOF system, this modified SF hydrogel can even treat ischemic trauma with cartilage exposure. This multiple modification should contribute to the improvement of advanced wound care, by promoting SF application in the production of tissue engineering materials.