Antheraea pernyi silk fibroin maintains the immunosupressive properties of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.

We reported previously that regenerated Antheraea pernyi silk fibroin (A. pernyi SF) could support the attachment and growth of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs). In this work, the immunosupressive effects of hBMSCs cultured on the A. pernyi SF films on T-cells were investigated in vitro. The production of IL-6, CD80, CD86 and HLA-DR by the hBMSCs was also observed. The study showed that hBMSCs cultured on the regenerated A. pernyi SF films still kept their immunosupression on T-cell proliferation and IL-2 secretion. Moreover, regenerated A. pernyi SF like regenerated Bombyx mori SF and collagen did not elicit T-cell proliferation but it could support the expression of IL-6 and surface antigen of hBMSCs. Regenerated A. pernyi SF can maintain the function of hBMSCs in immunomodulation and cytokines production, which has the potential utility of hBMSCs combined with A. pernyi SF in tissue replacement and repair.