Why do Schwann cells like spider silk?

Spider silk (SPSI) has been established as one of nature’s most fascinating materials due to its unique properties. A remarkable application of the SPSI is its use in reconstructive medicine as nerve guidance structure/filament for nerve regeneration. The Schwann cells (SCs), which are a crucial part of the nerve regeneration process adhere to SPSI and migrate along it to support axonal elongation. SPSI degrades without inflammatory response or physiological pH changes. However, the interaction between the SCs and the silk and by that the SPSI properties, that promote SC adhesion are still unclear. The aim of this project is to elucidate material properties of SPSI, that are crucial for its unique performance in nerve regeneration. Not all spider silks show the same medical success, and we believe that properties such as composition, ultrastructure, and mechanical behavior have a pronounced influence on the acceptance of SPSI by SCs. Therefore, by combining experiments consisting of in vitro studies and the material characterization of various SPSIs, the properties, which are responsible for the advanced success of SPSI in nerve regeneration, will be clarified.