Reconstruction of an orbital defect in rabbits using a silk fibroin–bone microparticle complex

Abstract

Objective: To construct a silk fibroin–bone microparticle composite based on a porous silk fibroin membrane and to study its feasibility as a material to reconstruct an orbital bone defect. Methods: A 3D porous silk fibroin membrane scaffold was constructed with a defined pore size and incorporated with bone microparticles from a New Zealand rabbit orbital bone defect. The silk fibroin–bone microparticle composite was then implanted into the orbital bone defect to promote osteogenesis along the surface of the porous silk fibroin membrane. The feasibility of constructing an ideal orbital defect repair material and the silk fibroin–bone micronucleus complex was evaluated by animal experiments, molecular biology, histomorphology, imaging, raw molecular mechanisms, and the biological behavior of the material in vivo. Results: The silk fibroin–bone microparticle composite promotes angiogenesis and osteogenesis to repair bone defects in vivo. Moreover, SF (silk fibroin)/BD (bone dust) complex promotes osteogenesis and angiogenesis by activating FGF2 (Fibroblast Growth Factor 2) and SF scaffolds can bind and restore FGF2. Conclusion: Silk fibroin is biocompatible and the silk fibroin–bone microparticle complex successfully repaired orbital bone defects. Additionally, fibroblast growth factor expression around or within the remaining incompletely degraded silk fibroin materials was observed in vivo.