The ideal wound dressing in particular for burn wounds has not been found yet. The aim of this study was to investigate native spider silk as a novel wound dressing. Release of inflammatory cytokines of macrophages and neutrophile granulocytes was determined via ELISA after exposure to spider silk. Migration of dermal cells as well as angiogenesis on spider silk was visualized with live video microscopy or chorioallantois membrane model, respectively. Native spider silk was placed in full-thickness skin wounds in a sheep in vivo-model and wounds were evaluated after 2, 4, 6, and 8weeks histologically as well as per quantitative real-time PCR. Minimal inflammatory cytokine release could be seen for spider silk. Ingrowth of single capillaries into bundles of spider silk and migration of keratinocytes as well as fibroblasts on spider silk fibres was proven. Macroscopically, a comparable wound closure could be seen in spider silk and in sham controls. In histological evaluation, a thicker epidermis was observed in spider silk treated wounds while collagen III/I expression ratio was comparable in both groups. As native spider silk has been described as highly biocompatible, it might represent an innovative alternative to common wound dressings.
Keywords: Bio compatibility; Biomaterial; Spider silk; Wound dressing; Wound healing.
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