The silk of gorse spider mite Tetranychus lintearius represents a novel natural source of nanoparticles and biomaterials

Abstract

Spider mites constitute an assemblage of well-known pests in agriculture, but are less known for their ability to spin silk of nanoscale diameters and high Young’s moduli. Here, we characterize silk of the gorse spider mite Tetranychus lintearius, which produces copious amounts of silk with nano-dimensions. We determined biophysical characteristics of the silk fibres and manufactured nanoparticles and biofilm derived from native silk. We determined silk structure using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and characterized silk nanoparticles using field emission scanning electron microscopy. Comparative studies using T. lintearius and silkworm silk nanoparticles and biofilm demonstrated that spider mite silk supports mammalian cell growth in vitro and that fluorescently labelled nanoparticles can enter cell cytoplasm. The potential for cytocompatibility demonstrated by this study, together with the prospect of recombinant silk production, opens a new avenue for biomedical application of this little-known silk.

Microscopic Menaces: The Impact of Mites on Human Health

“…This includes the development of new methods based on RNAi to control mites [88] that may function across species. Furthermore, the development of new materials derived from mites, such as spider mite silk and nanoparticles developed from the silk [89], will expand the utilization of mite-derived materials in biomedicine. Thus, research on mites is entering a dynamic period where these organisms with sequenced genomes will provide novel tools for their control as well as the application of mite-derived products in different, non-traditional fields.…”

The seven grand challenges in arachnid science

“…Beyond spiders, other arachnids can produce silks. The silk fibers of the spider mite Tetranychus urticae, for example, have diameters on the nanometer scale, representing the thinnest natural silk fiber produced by arthropods (Lozano-Peŕez et al, 2020). Combined with a Young's modulus almost double that of spider Trichonephila clavipes silk, the spider mite silks show great potential in pharmacological and biomedical application (Lozano-Peŕez et al, 2020).…”

Natural Biomaterials from Biodiversity for Healthcare Applications

“…[164] Lozano-Perez et al reported that spider mite silk nanoparticles enter the cell cytoplasm and support the in vitro mammalian cell growth. [165] Besides, spider silk offers quick adherence and culture coverage making it a great biomaterial for scaffold design. [166] Silkworm cocoon is a promising wound dressing as its protective function resembles that of the human skin.…”

“…reported that spider mite silk nanoparticles enter the cell cytoplasm and support the in vitro mammalian cell growth. [ 165 ] Besides, spider silk offers quick adherence and culture coverage making it a great biomaterial for scaffold design. [ 166 ]…”