OBSERVATION OF THE SILK-GLAND SYSTEM IN ARGIOPE MODESTA: A POTENTIAL SOURCE FOR BIOMATERIAL SCAFFOLD

Abstract

Spider silk, which contains spidroin, is a biomaterial widely used in regenerative medicine. Argiope modesta, an orb-web spider found in Indonesia, produces silk via its glands. However, the structure of the gland has not yet been explored. The purpose of this study was to examine the silk gland system, including the morphology of the spider fiber of Argiope modesta. The ultrastructure of the silk gland system surface was observed using scanning electron microscopy. The histological structure of the seven glands in the spider was observed using hematoxylin-eosin staining. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the structure and morphology of the spider fiber, spinneret, and spinning tubes. The diameter of the spider fibers was 850 µm. The minor ampullate, major ampullate, aggregate, flagelliform, tubuliform, pyriform, and aciniform spinning tubes were observed on the anterior, median, and posterior spinnerets of Argiope modesta via scanning electron micrographs. Histological analysis revealed the structure of the spider silk glands. The aggregate, flagelliform, aciniform, and tubuliform glands were clearly visible. This study revealed that the silk-gland system of Argiope modesta, which is responsible for producing spider silk, has distinct properties. Further studies are needed to analyze the chemical components of spider silk produced in different glands of Argiope modesta.