Sericin enhances attachment of cultured human skin fibroblasts.

Human skin fibroblasts were cultured on sericin prepared from cocoon shells. The living cell number after 72 h was enhanced to 250% of the no-sericin control. The increase was due to the acceleration of the initial attachment of the cells. It was found that sericin M, the main component of about 400 kDa, and its serine-rich repetitive domain were the active principles.