Promotion of endothelialization of silk functionalized with IKVAV peptide and production of silk containing IKVAV-REDV sequence by transgenic silkworms.

This article focuses on enhancing small-diameter vascular grafts made from silk fibroin (SF) derived from Bombyx mori by functionalizing them with specific peptides to promote endothelialization and reduce platelet adhesion. Four peptides—arginine-glycine-aspartate (RGD), arginine-glutamic acid-aspartate-valine (REDV), cysteine-alanine-glycine (CAG), and isoleucine-lysine-valine-alanine-valine (IKVAV)—were chemically immobilized onto SF using cyanuric chloride, and their effects on human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) adhesion, proliferation, and platelet adhesion were evaluated. Results indicated that SF films modified with RGD and IKVAV peptides showed high endothelial cell adhesion and proliferation, but RGD also significantly increased platelet adhesion, suggesting a higher thrombogenic risk. Consequently, IKVAV was identified as the most suitable peptide for SF vascular graft coating. The study further developed transgenic (TG) silkworms producing SF incorporating both IKVAV and REDV sequences, and small-diameter vascular grafts coated with sponge-like TG SF containing these peptides were fabricated and characterized for physical properties, demonstrating adequate mechanical strength for vascular applications.