Silk Sericin-Functionalized Bacterial Cellulose as a Potential Wound-Healing Biomaterial

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a polysaccharide known as a suitable matrix for proper wound healing. To improve this ability, BC was functionalized with silk sericin (SS) that has cytoprotective and mitogenic effects. The composites obtained by solution impregnation were stabilized by hydrogen bonds, and SS could be released in a controlled manner. The constructs were highly porous with interconnected pores allowing for high water uptake that varied with the SS concentration used for sample preparation. While SS did not disrupt the stability of the BC network, soluble SS diffusing from the composites did not influence keratinocyte growth but enhanced fibroblast proliferation, which would further optimize the wound healing process and improve extracellular matrix production, accelerating healing. Further, improved cell viability was observed upon the composites. Because of their attractive structure and properties, these BC-SS biomaterials represent potential candidates not only for wound dressing applications but also for tissue engineering.