Issue 35, 2015

Introduction of VEGF or RGD sequences improves revascularization properties of Bombyx mori silk fibroin produced by transgenic silkworm

Abstract

Bombyx mori silk fibroin (SF) was successfully used for vascular grafts implanted in rats or dogs. Current transgenic technology can be developed to produce SF with improved properties. In this study, the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) or the repeated fibronectin-derived sequence, TGRGDSPAS, and arginylglycylaspartic acid (RGD) were introduced into the SF heavy chain to improve its properties. A blood compatibility assay was performed to study lactose dehydrogenase (LDH) activity for both transgenic and wild type SF. Growth of human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVECs) showed greater enhancement of cellularization behaviour for the transgenic SF samples (VEGF and RGD) than for the wild type (WT) SF. VEGF SF also showed lower platelet adhesion than the RGD SF and WT SF. An in vivo implantation study supported these in vitro results. In particular, early endothelialisation was observed for VEGF transgenic SF, including the occurrence of native tissue organization at three months after implantation in rat abdominal aorta.

Graphical abstract: Introduction of VEGF or RGD sequences improves revascularization properties of Bombyx mori silk fibroin produced by transgenic silkworm

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
17 May 2015
Accepted
05 Aug 2015
First published
14 Aug 2015

J. Mater. Chem. B, 2015,3, 7109-7116

Author version available

Introduction of VEGF or RGD sequences improves revascularization properties of Bombyx mori silk fibroin produced by transgenic silkworm

T. Saotome, H. Hayashi, R. Tanaka, A. Kinugasa, S. Uesugi, K. Tatematsu, H. Sezutsu, N. Kuwabara and T. Asakura, J. Mater. Chem. B, 2015, 3, 7109 DOI: 10.1039/C5TB00939A

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