Different level of tumor necrosis factor-a expression after administration of silk sericin fraction in RAW264.7 cells.

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) is a representative marker for inflammation. Silk sericin is known as mild TNFα inducer. The purpose of this study was to compare the level of TNFα among different fractions of silk sericin. Silk sericin was extracted from cocoon and separated it by molecular weight. Each fraction was applied to RAW264.7 cells. The level of TNFα was evaluated by western blot and ELISA assay. In results, the level of TNFα was increased as time-dependent manner. Higher molecular weight fraction of sericin induced higher amount of TNFα than lower molecular weight fraction. In conclusion, different molecular weight fraction of sericin induced TNFα differently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]