Cellular interaction with sericin: a basis for noncommunicable and infectious diseases

Abstract

In vivo or clinical application inclusion of polymers from both synthetic and biological sources, as evident in biomedical applications such as drug delivery and tissue engineering, introduces interaction with the host immune system. Such an issue is of primary significance and requires crucial thinking before application. Unfortunately, cases are encountered when materials with excellent physical, mechanical, and biological activities are rejected from the studies based on their immunological responses, as evident in allergic and inflammatory manifestation that can lead to treatment failure. Therefore, it is essential for the innate immune responses to any biomaterials to be thoroughly investigated as critical criteria for their potential applications. As a protein, silk sericin, is likely to be an immunological activator or initiates cellular interaction. This chapter discusses the cellular and molecular mechanism of sericin on noncommunicable and infectious diseases.