Mimicking Hierarchical Complexity of the Osteochondral Interface Using Electrospun Silk–Bioactive Glass Composites

The anatomical complexity and slow regeneration capacity of hyaline cartilage at the osteochondral interface pose a great challenge in the repair of osteochondral defects (OCD). In this study, we utilized the processing feasibility offered by the sol derived 70S bioactive glass and silk fibroin (mulberry Bombyx mori and endemic Indian non-mulberry Antheraea assama), in fabricating a well-integrated, biomimetic scaffolding matrix with a coherent interface. Differences in surface properties such as wettability and amorphousness between the two silk groups resulted in profound variations in cell attachment and extracellular matrix protein deposition. Mechanical assessment showed that the biphasic composites exhibited both an elastic region pertinent for cartilage tissue and a stiff compression resistant region simulating the bone phase. In vitro biological studies revealed that the biphasic mats presented spatial confinement for the growth and maturation of both osteoblasts and chondrocytes, marked by increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, osteopontin (OPN), sulfated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) and collagen secretion in the cocultured mats. The non-mulberry silk based biphasic composite mats performed better than their mulberry counterpart, as evidenced by enhanced expression levels of key cartilage and bone specific marker genes. Therefore, the developed biphasic scaffold show great promise for improving the current clinical strategies for osteochondral tissue repair.