The therapeutic effects of Bombyx mori sericin on rat skin psoriasis through modulated epidermal immunity and attenuated cell proliferation

Silkworm Cocoon: Dual Functions as a Traditional Chinese Medicine and the Raw Material of Promising Biocompatible Carriers

The silkworm cocoon (SC), both as a traditional Chinese medicine and as the raw material for biocompatible carriers, has been extensively used in the medical and biomedical fields. This review elaborates on the multiple functions of SC, with an in-depth analysis of its chemical composition, biological activities, as well as its applications in modern medicine. The primary chemical components of SC include silk fibroin (SF), silk sericin (SS), and other flavonoid-like bioactive compounds demonstrating various biological effects. These include hypoglycemic, cardioprotective, hypolipidemic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial actions, which highlight its potential therapeutic benefits. Furthermore, the review explores the applications of silk-derived materials in drug delivery systems, tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and in vitro diagnostics. It also highlights the progression of SC from laboratory research to clinical trials, emphasizing the safety and efficacy of SC-based materials across multiple medical domains. Moreover, we discuss the market products developed from silk proteins, illustrating the transition from traditional uses to contemporary medical applications. This review provides support in understanding the current research status of SC and the further development and application of its derived products.

Translational application of human keratinocyte-fibroblast cell sheets for accelerated wound healing in a clinically relevant type 2 diabetic rat model

BACKGROUND AIMS

Despite advancements in wound care, wound healing remains a challenge, especially in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Cell sheet technology has emerged as an efficient and promising therapy for tissue regeneration and wound repair. Among these, bilayered human keratinocyte-fibroblast cell sheets constructed using temperature-responsive culture surfaces have been shown to mimic a normal tissue-like structure and secrete essential cytokines and growth factors that regulate the wound healing process.

METHODS

This study aimed to evaluate the safety and therapeutic potential of human skin cell sheets to treat full-thickness skin defects in a rat model of type 2 diabetes.

RESULTS

Our findings demonstrate that diabetic wounds transplanted with bilayered cell sheets resulted in accelerated re-epithelialization, increased angiogenesis, enhanced macrophage polarization and regeneration of tissue that closely resembled healthy skin. In contrast, the control group that did not receive cell sheet transplantation presented characteristic symptoms of impaired and delayed wound healing associated with type 2 diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

The secretory cytokines and the upregulation of Nrf2 expression in response to cell sheet transplantation are believed to have played a key role in the improved wound healing observed in diabetic rats. Our study suggests that human keratinocyte-fibroblast cell sheets hold great potential as a therapeutic alternative for diabetic ulcers.

Sericin coated thin polymeric films reduce keratinocyte proliferation via the mTOR pathway and epidermal inflammation through IL17 signaling in psoriasis rat model

Therapeutic treatment forms can play significant roles in resolving psoriatic plaques or promoting wound repair in psoriatic skin. Considering the biocompatibility, mechanical strength, flexibility, and adhesive properties of silk fibroin sheets/films, it is useful to combine them with anti-psoriatic agents and healing stimulants, notably silk sericin. Here, we evaluate the curative properties of sericin-coated thin polymeric films (ScF) fabricated from silk fibroin, using an imiquimod-induced psoriasis rat model. The film biocompatibility and psoriatic wound improvement capacity was assessed. A proteomics study was performed to understand the disease resolving mechanisms. Skin-implantation study exhibited the non-irritation property of ScF films, which alleviate eczema histopathology. Immunohistochemical and gene expression revealed the depletion of β-defensin, caspase-3 and -9, TNF-α, CCL-20, IL-1β, IL-17, TGF-β, and Wnt expressions and S100a14 mRNA level. The proteomics study suggested that ScF diminish keratinocyte proliferation via the mTOR pathway by downregulating mTOR protein, corresponding to the modulation of TNF-α, Wnt, and IL-1β levels, leading to the enhancement of anti-inflammatory environment by IL-17 downregulation. Hematology data demonstrated the safety of using these biomaterials, which provide a potential therapeutic-option for psoriasis treatment due to desirable effects, especially anti-proliferation and anti-inflammation, functioning via the mTOR pathway and control of IL-17 signaling.

Unravelling the potential of insects for medicinal purposes - A comprehensive review

Entomotherapy, the use of insects for medicinal purposes, has been practised for centuries in many countries around the world. More than 2100 edible insect species are eaten by humans, but little is known about the possibility of using these insects as a promising alternative to traditional pharmaceuticals for treating diseases. This review offers a fundamental understanding of the therapeutic applications of insects and how they might be used in medicine. In this review, 235 insect species from 15 orders are reported to be used as medicine. Hymenoptera contains the largest medicinal insect species, followed by Coleoptera, Orthoptera, Lepidoptera, and Blattodea. Scientists have examined and validated the potential uses of insects along with their products and by-products in treating various diseases, and records show that they are primarily used to treat digestive and skin disorders. Insects are known to be rich sources of bioactive compounds, explaining their therapeutic features such as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, and so on. Challenges associated with the consumption of insects (entomophagy) and their therapeutic uses include regulation barriers and consumer acceptance. Moreover, the overexploitation of medicinal insects in their natural habitat has led to a population crisis, thus necessitating the investigation and development of their mass-rearing procedure. Lastly, this review suggests potential directions for developing insects used in medicine and offers advice for scientists interested in entomotherapy. In future, entomotherapy may become a sustainable and cost-effective solution for treating various ailments and has the potential to revolutionize modern medicine.

Skin drug delivery using lipid vesicles: A starting guideline for their development

Lipid vesicles can provide a cost-effective enhancement of skin drug absorption when vesicle production process is optimised. It is an important challenge to design the ideal vesicle, since their properties and features are related, as changes in one affect the others. Here, we review the main components, preparation and characterization methods commonly used, and the key properties that lead to highly efficient vesicles for transdermal drug delivery purposes. We stand by size, deformability degree and drug loading, as the most important vesicle features that determine the further transdermal drug absorption. The interest in this technology is increasing, as demonstrated by the exponential growth of publications on the topic. Although long-term preservation and scalability issues have limited the commercialization of lipid vesicle products, freeze-drying and modern escalation methods overcome these difficulties, thus predicting a higher use of these technologies in the market and clinical practice.

The SELP, CD93, IL2RG, and VAV1 Genes Associated with Atherosclerosis May Be Potential Diagnostic Biomarkers for Psoriasis

Purpose

Psoriasis and atherosclerosis are immunometabolic diseases. This study aimed to integrate bioinformatics and updated public resources to find potential biological markers associated with atherosclerosis that can cause psoriasis.

Patients and Methods

Microarray datasets were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened, and functional enrichment analysis was performed. We identified psoriasis and atherosclerosis common immune-related genes (PA-IRGs) by overlapping immune-related genes (IRGs) with genes in the module most associated with psoriasis and atherosclerosis obtained by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNAs). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) was conducted to evaluate the predictive ability. The skin expression levels of diagnostic biomarkers were further verified by immunohistochemical staining. CIBERSORT, single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA), and Pearson's correlation analysis were applied to evaluate immune and lipid metabolism relationships in psoriatic tissues. In addition, a lincRNA-miRNA-mRNA network was constructed to find the pathogenesis in which diagnostic markers may be involved.

Results

Four PA-IRGs (SELP, CD93, IL2RG, and VAV1) demonstrated the optimal diagnostic value, with an AUC above 0.8. The immune cell infiltration analysis showed that dendritic resting cells, NK cell activation, neutrophils, macrophages M2, macrophages M0, and B-cell memory were highly abundant in psoriasis. Immune response analysis showed that TNF family members, chemokine receptors, interferons, natural killer cells, and TGF-β family members might be involved in psoriasis. Diagnostic biomarkers are strongly associated with various infiltrating immune cells, immune responses, and lipid metabolism. A lincRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network consisting of 31 lincRNAs and 23 miRNAs was constructed. LINC00662 is involved in modulating four diagnostic biomarkers.

Conclusion

This study identified atherosclerosis-related genes SELP, CD93, VAV1, and IL2RG as potential psoriasis diagnostic markers. Provide novel insights into the possible regulatory mechanisms involved in psoriasis.

Sericin-Based Poly(Vinyl) Alcohol Relieves Plaque and Epidermal Lesions in Psoriasis; a Chance for Dressing Development in a Specific Area

The noncontagious immune-mediated skin disease known as psoriasis is regarded as a chronic skin condition with a 0.09-11.4% global prevalence. The main obstacle to the eradication of the disease continues to be insufficient treatment options. Sericin, a natural biopolymer from Bombyx mori cocoons, can improve skin conditions via its immunomodulatory effect. Many external therapeutic methods are currently used to treat psoriasis, but sericin-based hydrogel is not yet used to treat plaques of eczema. Through the use of an imiquimod rat model, this study sought to identify the physical and chemical characteristics of a silk sericin-based poly(vinyl) alcohol (SS/PVA) hydrogel and assess both its therapeutic and toxic effects on psoriasis. The cytokines, chemokines, and genes involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis were investigated, focusing on the immuno-pathological relationships. We discovered that the SS/PVA had a stable fabrication and proper release. Additionally, the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic properties of SS/PVA reduced the severity of psoriasis in both gross and microscopic skin lesions. This was demonstrated by a decrease in the epidermal histopathology score, upregulation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 and interleukin (IL)-10, and a decrease in the expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-20. Moreover, the genes S100a7a and S100a14 were downregulated. Additionally, in rats given the SS/PVA treatment, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase levels were within normal limits. Our findings indicate that SS/PVA is safe and may be potentiated to treat psoriasis in a variety of forms and locations of plaque because of its physical, chemical, and biological characteristics.

The Role of Sphingolipids in the Pathogenesis of Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a complex, chronic, immunologically mediated disease which involves skin and joints. Psoriasis is commonly connected with numerous other diseases such as liver diseases, metabolic syndrome, impaired glucose tolerance, diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, hypertension, and ischemic heart disease. Interestingly, comorbidities of psoriasis are an attention-grabbing issue. Additionally, it can cause impairment of quality of life and may be associated with depressive disorders. Altered levels of ceramides in psoriatic skin may lead to anti-apoptotic and pro-proliferative states, consequently leading to an over-proliferation of keratinocytes and the development of skin lesions. The pathophysiology of psoriasis and its comorbidities is not fully understood yet. Sphingolipids (including ceramides) and their disturbed metabolism may be the link between psoriasis and its comorbidities. Overall, the goal of this review was to discuss the role of sphingolipid disturbances in psoriasis and its comorbidities. We searched the PubMed database for relevant articles published before the beginning of May 2022. The systematic review included 65 eligible original articles.