Electrospinning Equipment: In vitro tumor model based on 3D porous alginate-silk fibroin composite microspheres for anticancer drug screening and magnetic apoptosis induction

Advantages of silk-based materials

Silk-based materials, especially silk fibroin (SF), have become ideal materials for 3D tumor models due to their excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, mechanical properties, and ability to promote cell attachment, diffusion, and proliferation. Silk fibroin can mimic the natural extracellular matrix (ECM) and provide a suitable platform and environment for cell adhesion and proliferation

Research progress of 3D tumor models

In this study, an in vitro lung tumor model was developed using sodium alginate/silk fibroin (SA/SF) and SPIONs-loaded SA/SF porous 3D microspheres (SPIONs_SA/SF) as magnetically responsive biomaterials.

The results showed that: Material characterization: The increase in the concentration of sodium alginate and silk fibroin affects the microstructure (porosity and pore size) of the SA/SF composite scaffold. The silk fibroin fiber-like structure mimics the extracellular matrix (ECM) and provides a suitable platform for cell adhesion and proliferation.

Cell culture and drug screening: Sodium alginate microspheres loaded with silk fibroin did not show cytotoxicity and were suitable for 3D cell culture and tumor models. In the 3D model, the cytotoxicity of anticancer drugs was different compared with the 2D model, indicating that the 3D model can more accurately simulate the in vivo conditions.

Effect of magnetic field on cancer cells: Static magnetic field has a significant effect on lung cancer cells in SA/SF porous beads loaded with SPIONs, and cancer cell death is enhanced when treated with high magnetic field intensity.

Application of electrospinning equipment

Electrospinning equipment plays an important role in the preparation of silk-based materials and can produce high-performance nanofibers. These nanofibers can be used to construct scaffolds for 3D tumor models and have the following advantages:

Preparation of nanofiber structures: Electrospinning can produce uniform continuous fibers with diameters ranging from nanometers to micrometers. These fibers can be used to simulate the microstructure of natural extracellular matrix and promote cell migration, proliferation and differentiation.

Regulating fiber morphology and arrangement: By adjusting the parameters in the electrospinning process (such as spinning solution concentration, viscosity, electric field strength, etc.), the diameter and morphology of the fiber can be precisely controlled to optimize the performance of the material.

Loading bioactive substances: Electrospinning equipment can prepare nanofiber scaffolds loaded with bioactive molecules, and by controlling the release rate, the sustained effect of bioactive substances in tumor models can be achieved.

Summary and Outlook

The application of silk-based materials in 3D tumor models shows great potential, especially through functional surface coatings and composites with other materials, the performance of silk-based models has been significantly improved. Electrospinning equipment plays an important role in the preparation of silk-based materials, and can prepare nanofibers with excellent structure and performance to promote cell growth and tissue regeneration. Future research can further explore the combination of silk-based materials with other bioactive substances, as well as their application effects in different types of tumor models, to promote the clinical transformation and application of silk-based 3D tumor models.

Electrospinning Nanofibers Article Source:

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.124827