Suppression of fibroblast cell growth on surfaces coated with conjugates consisting of silk fibroin and chitooligosaccharides

Glycoconjugates consisting of silk fibroin (SF) and polycationic chitooligosaccharides (COS) were prepared by the chemical modification of SF with COS using cyanuric chloride (CY) as a coupling spacer. The growth of mouse fibroblast (L-929) cells on glass coverslips coated with the conjugate (COS-CY-SF) was investigated by a cell culture method. The number of cells grown on the COS-CY-SF conjugate-coated surfaces was the lowest compared with surfaces coated with SF and collagen during 7 days of culture, although the cells on the conjugate-coated surfaces were able to proliferate. Moreover, cell spreading on the conjugate coated-surfaces was prevented over 7 days, while the cells on the surfaces coated with SF and collagen exhibited a well-spread morphology within 5 days. These results reveal the cell-resistant properties of the COS-CY-SF conjugated-coated surfaces and the potential use of the conjugate-coatings for implant applications.