title: Synthesis of poly(ethylene glycol)-silk fibroin conjugates and surface interaction between L-929 cells and the conjugates.
abstract: Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-silk fibroin (SF) conjugates (PEG2-SF) were prepared by the chemical modification of solubilized SF with 2,4-bis[O-methoxypoly(ethylene glycol)]-6-chloro-s-triazine (actPEG2) in borate buffer at 37 degrees C. The IR spectra and DSC curves of PEG2-SF and SF suggested the introduction of PEG into SF by the modification and the beta-sheet structure of both SF and PEG2-SF induced by the treatment with methanol aqueous solutions. The content of the PEG component in PEG2-SF was evaluated to be 67% by weight from the melting enthalpy change of PEG observed on the DSC thermogram of PEG2-SF. Water content and contact angle measurements of SF before and after the modification indicated that the hydrophilicity of the PEG2-SF surface increased compared with that of SF. The attachment and growth of fibroblast cells (L-929) on the matrix of PEG2-SF were studied by a cell culture method. PEG2-SF exhibited very low cell attachment and growth, though SF exhibited high cell attachment and growth. The filopodium of the cells attached to PEG2-SF could not be found, and the cells aggregated to form masses in scanning electron microscopy images. These results could be explained in terms of the increased hydrophilicity of the PEG2-SF surface.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Sericultural and Entomological Science, Ibaraki, Japan.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gotoh
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tsukada
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Minoura
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Imai
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002152:Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002455:Cell Division; D002460:Cell Line; D046508:Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D005349:Fibroins / Q000737:chemistry*; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D051379:Mice; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D013055:Spectrophotometry, Infrared
chemical_list: D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D005349:Fibroins