Abstract
Sericin and fibroin are the two major proteins in the silk fibre produced by the domesticated silkworm, Bombyx mori. Fibroin has been extensively investigated as a biomaterial. We have previously shown that fibroin can function successfully as a substratum for growing cells of the eye. Sericin has been so far neglected as a biomaterial because of suspected allergenic activity. However, this misconception has now been dispelled, and sericin’s biocompatibility is currently indisputable. Aiming at promoting sericin as a possible substratum for the growth of corneal cells in order to make tissue-engineered constructs for the restoration of the ocular surface, in this study we investigated the attachment and growth in vitro of human corneal limbal epithelial cells (HLECs) on sericin-based membranes. Sericin was isolated and regenerated from the silkworm cocoons by an aqueous procedure, manufactured into membranes, and characterized (mechanical properties, structural analysis, contact angles). Primary cell cultures from two donors were established in serum-supplemented media in the presence of murine feeder cells. Membranes made of sericin and fibroin-sericin blends were assessed in vitro as substrata for HLECs in a serum-free medium, in a cell attachment assay and in a 3-day cell growth experiment. While the mechanical characteristics of sericin were found to be inferior to those of fibroin, its ability to enhance the attachment of HLECs was significantly superior to fibroin, as revealed by the PicoGreen® assay. Evidence was also obtained that cells can grow and differentiate on these substrata.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/2194-0517-2-14) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
In recent years, there have been many media highlights on the emerging new medical technology based on the use of absorbable metals
One of them appeared as 2016 BBC Horizons report on “special” metal bone screw implanted in the broken finger bone of a male Korean patient (Horizons 2016)
The interest toward these corrodible or absorbable metals has been rapidly growing. It is marked by the high increase of related scientific publications, the development of new ASTM and ISO standards, and the commercialization of three absorbable metal products
Summary
There have been many media highlights on the emerging new medical technology based on the use of absorbable metals. The patient returned to the hospital 4 months after the surgery with a smile on his face, because his broken bone had been healed and he did not need to go for a second surgery as the screw had disappeared. This innovative metal implant completely dissolves in the body after providing the needed function, eliminating the harmful potential effects of permanent implants. After decades of acknowledging that metal implants must be corrosion resistant, nowadays, corrosion is seen as an advantage The interest toward these corrodible or absorbable metals has been rapidly growing. It is marked by the high increase of related scientific publications, the development of new ASTM and ISO standards, and the commercialization of three absorbable metal products
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