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Silk-Derived Protein Enhances Corneal Epithelial Migration, Adhesion, and Proliferation
Waleed Abdel-Naby1, Brigette Cole2, Aihong Liu2
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States 2Department of Ophthalmology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, United States.
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
|March 4, 2017
Summary
Silk fibroin-derived protein (SDP) significantly enhances corneal epithelial cell migration, proliferation, and attachment. This novel therapeutic agent shows promise for improving corneal wound healing and restoring vision after injury.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Corneal injuries can impair natural healing, leading to vision loss.
- Effective treatments are needed to restore corneal epithelial integrity.
- Silk fibroin-derived protein (SDP) is a novel biomaterial with potential therapeutic applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of SDP on corneal epithelial wound healing in vitro.
- To evaluate SDP's effects on human corneal limbal epithelial (hCLE) cell migration, proliferation, and adhesion.
Main Methods:
- Solubilized SDP from Bombyx mori silkworm cocoons was used.
- hCLE cultures were treated with SDP.
- Scratch wound assays and flow chamber studies assessed cell migration, proliferation, and adhesion.
Main Results:
- SDP increased hCLE cell migration by over 50%.
- SDP enhanced cell proliferation by approximately 60%.
- SDP treatment led to a nearly 30% faster scratch wound closure and over 95% increase in cell-matrix focal adhesion.
Conclusions:
- SDP significantly enhances hCLE cell migration, proliferation, and attachment.
- SDP demonstrates potential as an ophthalmic therapeutic agent for corneal wound healing.
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