Chinese Oak Tasar Silkworm Antheraea pernyi Silk Proteins: Current Strategies and Future Perspectives for Biomedical Applications

Chinese nonmulberry temperate oak tasar/tussah, Antheraea pernyi (Ap) silk
is a natural biopolymer that has attracted considerable attention as a biomaterial. The proteinaceous components of Ap silk proteins, namely fbroin and
sericin may represent an alternative over mulberry Bombyx mori silk proteins.
In fact, the silk fbroin (SF) of Ap is rich in Arginyl-Glycyl-Aspartic acid (RGD)
peptides, which facilitate the adhesion and proliferation of various cell types.
The possibility of processing Ap silk proteins into different distinct 2D- and
3D-based matrices is described in earlier studies, such as membranes,
nanofbers, scaffolds, and micro/nanoparticles, contributing to a different
rate of degradation, mechanical properties, and biological performance useful
for various biomedical applications. This review summarizes the current
advances and developments on nonmulberry Chinese oak tasar silk protein
(fbroin and sericin)-based biomaterials and their potential uses in tissue
engineering, regenerative medicine, and therapeutic delivery strategies.