Variation of the effect of calcium phosphate enhancement of implanted silk fibroin ligament bone integration

Abstract In this article, low crystallinity hydroxyapatite (LHA) is developed and utilized to modify silk fibroin scaffolds which are applied to repair bone/ligament defects successfully. It can promote osteogenesis which is authenticated through in vitro and in vivo tests. The scaffold is an efficient carrier, supporting cell proliferation and differentiation. Meanwhile, cytocompatibility and osteoblastic gene expressions (RUNX2 and osteocalcin, for example) of rabbit's bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are significantly boosted on LHA/silk scaffold. Further, for animal trial, almost 60% of bone volume and 80% of original mechanical strength are recovered after 4 months' bone/ligament regeneration in bone tunnel of rabbit model, where significant amount of bone tissue regeneration is also confirmed by data of histological evaluation and micro computed tomography (μ-CT). Hence, the invented scaffold is applicable for ligament/bone regeneration in future lager animal and clinical trials.