Silk Sericin-Based Biomaterials for Tissue Repair and Regeneration

Abstract

Regenerative medicine for trauma repair represents a critical demand globally, however it is limited by the lack of suitable biomaterials for tissue regeneration. To overcome this challenge, we have evaluated a series of biomaterials and uncovered that silk sericin, derived from silk cocoons, is a promising biomaterial for tissue regeneration. A novel LiBr extraction methodology has been developed and utilized for acquiring pure silk sericin with intact protein structures. Besides, physicochemical and biological properties of silk sericin have been comprehensively characterized to establish theoretical/technical foundations for its biomedical applications. Moreover, to address the clinical challenge of post-traumatic tissue and organ regeneration, we have elucidated mechanisms of sericin-mediated in situ tissue regeneration and developed a series of high-performance sericin-based tissue engineering approach to repair neural tissue, myocardium, skin, skeletal muscle and other types of trauma injuries. Clinical translation of sericin-based materials and devices may offer better therapeutic options for trauma patients and our findings may pave the way for the future clinical translation of sericin biomaterials.