Abstract:
This research aimed to investigate the influences of size and compositions of gelatin/Thai silk fibroin (Leuang Pi Roj) (G/SF) microspheres on growth kinetics of fibroblast (Mouse cell line, L929) and cancer cells (Cervical carcinoma cell line, CaSki) for cell carrier application. The G/SF microspheres were fabricated by water in oil (w/o) emulsion technique, weight blending ratios of G/SF solution at 100/0, 90/10 and 80/20 at the total solid weight of 2.5, 5 and 7.5%. The optimized w/o ratio of 1/30 and homogenizing speed of 3000 rpm were chosen based on their maximum yield of desired sizes (32-75 µm), which was suitable for injection through medical needle. To stabilize microspheres, glutaraldehyde (GA) was used as a crosslinking agent. The yields of the obtained microspheres were at 60-80 %wt. The microspheres having high silk fibroin or solid contents had high stability (in protease XIV enzyme solution) and low swelling (in distilled water at 37ºC pH 5.8). The G/SF microspheres in the size range of 32-75 µm was found the greatest number of initial attachment compared to the size ranges of 75-100 and 100-200 µm. However, the specific growth rate (µ) of CaSki cells was not significantly different if cultured on the microspheres in the size range of 32-100 µm. Agglomeration of microspheres during cells cultures were observed, compared to the welldistributed larger microspheres where cells attached on the their surface only. The highest µ of L929 and CaSki cells were observed in the cells cultured on G microspheres (100/0), at 1.65x10-2 and 2.05x10-2 h-1. Gelatin microspheres were tested for tumor induction in nude mice (BALB/c). The microspheres accelerated tumor volume growth by 7 times and increased neocapillary densities by 2 times compared the conventional cells injection. Thus, microspheres approved to be an effective cell carrier.