Choice of Protein, Not Its Amyloid-Fold, Determines the Success of Amyloid-Based Scaffolds for Cartilage Tissue Regeneration

The formation of fibrocartilage during articular cartilage regeneration remains a clinical problem affecting adequate restoration in joints. To stimulate chondrocytes to form cartilage, we investigated the use amyloid fibril-based scaffolds. proteins α-synuclein, β-lactoglobulin, and lysozyme were induced self-assemble into fibrils and, dialysis, formed micrometer scale networks that resemble extracellular matrix. Our results show micronetworks supported chondrocyte viability matrix deposition, while α-synuclein β-lactoglobulin maintained cell viability. With this study, not only confirm possible materials for tissue but also demonstrate choice protein, rather than its amyloid-fold per se, affects cellular response formation.