Silk fibroin hydrogels and uses thereof

摘要

The present specification provides for methods for purifying fibroins, purified fibroins, methods of conjugating biological and synthetic molecules to fibroins, fibroins conjugated to such molecules, methods of making fibroin hydrogels, fibroin hydrogels and fibroin hydrogel formulations useful for a variety of medical uses, including, without limitation uses as bulking agents, tissue space fillers, templates for tissue reconstruction or regeneration, cell culture scaffolds for tissue engineering and for disease models, surface coating to improve medical device function, or drug delivery devices.

主权项

1. A method of breast reconstruction or augmentation, the method comprising the steps of
a) implanting a silicone or saline filled breast implant into an individual; and b) administering an optically transparent or optically translucent, porous hydrogel scaffold at the site of implantation or in proximity to the breast implant, the pores of the porous hydrogel scaffold having a mean diameter of about 10 μm to about 1,000 μm, the hydrogel scaffold comprising
i) a substantially sericin-depleted silk fibroin; andii) adipocytes autologous to the individual; wherein the hydrogel scaffold is bioeroded or bioresorbed 60 days or more after administering the hydrogel scaffold.