Outgrowth endothelial cells isolated and expanded from human peripheral blood progenitor cells as a potential source of autologous cells for endothelialization of silk fibroin biomaterials

Silks, produced by various insects and spiders, serve multiple functions within their ecosystems, including protection for eggs and larvae, structural support in draglines, and capture mechanisms for prey. These proteins exhibit significant diversity, with different spider species capable of spinning multiple types of silk, each sharing common structural features. In recent studies, outgrowth endothelial cells (OECs) have gained attention as a potential source for autologous cellular therapies, particularly regarding the endothelialization of silk fibroin-based biomaterials. This study investigates the isolation and expansion of OECs from human peripheral blood progenitor cells, aiming to evaluate their viability and functionality as a compatible cell type for integration with silk fibroin scaffolds in regenerative medicine applications. Through a series of in vitro experiments, we demonstrate that these expanded OECs can be effectively cultured on silk fibroin matrices, promoting cellular adhesion and growth. Additionally, the interaction between OECs and the silk fibroin substrate is examined for its potential to enhance tissue engineering outcomes. Our results reveal that OECs align well with the silk fibroin structure, suggesting their promising role in enhancing the performance of silk-based biomaterials for vascular tissue engineering applications.