Suckerin based biomaterials for wound healing: a comparative review with natural protein-based biomaterials

Abstract

Suckerins, derived from the sucker ring teeth of cephalopods, have emerged as promising biomaterials for wound healing due to their unique structural properties and versatility. Suckerins exhibit a wide range of elasticity, from soft hydrogels to stiff films, controlled by β-sheet content and induced by di-tyrosine crosslinking. Compared to other natural protein-based materials, suckerins offer advantages in terms of mechanical strength, the ability to form robust supramolecular structures, biocompatibility, excellent thermoplastic property and underwater adhesion, making them suitable for wound healing and various biomedical applications. However, the full potential of suckerins in wound healing is yet to be explored. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the structural properties, recent findings, advantages, succinylation of biomaterials and applications of natural protein-based biomaterials such as mussel adhesive protein, collagen, gelatin, silk fibroin and chitosan in wound healing, and how they stand in comparison to suckerin protein-based materials. This comprehensive review could pave the way for the development of more effective wound healing therapies. Future research directions are also discussed, emphasizing the need for a deeper understanding of the supramolecular interactions stabilizing suckerins and their potential applications in medicine, tissue engineering, nanotechnology and gaps in other protein-based materials in the context of wound healing.