In vitro immune responses of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells to silk fibroin: IL-10 stimulated anti-inflammatory and hypoallergenic properties

The ability of Bombyx mori Thai silk fibroin (SF) to stimulate IL-10 production from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) derived from healthy and atopic subjects was investigated. We evaluated a safety profile and anti-inflammatory properties of Thai SF, compared to two commercially available biomaterials for wound care and implant, Gelfoam (R) and Ologen (R), by incubating them with PBMCs before determining cell viability and cytokine expression. The results demonstrated that Thai SF was neither toxic to PBMCs nor induces the release of inflammatory cytokines (Th1/Th17-related cytokines and Th2-related cytokines). Interestingly, Thai SF, but not other biomaterials, could stimulate IL-10 production from PBMCs harvested from both healthy individuals and atopic subjects. As IL-10 has an anti-inflammatory and scar preventive properties, our findings indicate that Thai SF is a promising biomaterial for wound dressing in both healthy individuals and in patients who are prone to develop allergic reactions.