To evaluate the cytocompatibil ity of Arg-Gly-Asp-recombinant spider silk protein (pNSR16) / poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) through in vitro cytotoxicity experiment and cell-material co-culture experiment. Methods pNSR16/PVA scaffold and its extraction were prepared by using solvent casting/particulate leaching method, and NIH-3T3 cells were cultivated with the extraction in vitro. The cytotoxicity of scaffold was analyzed using MTT assay 1, 3 and 5 days after culture. Scanning electron microscope and HE staining observation were conducted 2, 4 and 6 days after culturing NIH-3T3 cells on the pNSR16/PVA scaffold. Immunohistochemistry detection was performed 6 days after co-culture. Adhesion, growthand expression of the cells on the scaffold were observed. Results The cytotoxicity of pNSR16/PVA scaffold was in grade 0. Scanning electron microscope observation: the cells covered the surface of the scaffold and were arranged in a directional manner 4 days after co-culture. HE staining: the cells adhered to and grew on the surface of scaffold, and migrated into the scaffold with the increase of culture duration. Immunohistochemistry detection: bFGF was secreted by NIH-3T3 cells, and the cells differentiated normally. Conclusion pNSR16/PVA scaffold has a satisfactory cytocompatibil ity and may be an ideal tissue engineered scaffold materia
