Characterization of epidermal wound healing in a human skin organ culture model: acceleration by transplanted keratinocytes

n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids induce the expression of COX-2 via PPARgamma activation in human keratinocyte HaCaT cells

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) n-3 inhibit inflammation, in vivo and in vitro in keratinocytes. We examined in HaCaT keratinocyte cell line whether eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) a n-3 PUFA, gamma-linoleic acid (GLA) a n-6 PUFA, and arachidic acid a saturated fatty acid, modulate expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), an enzyme pivotal to skin inflammation and reparation. We demonstrate that only treatment of HaCaT with GLA and EPA or a PPARgamma ligand (roziglitazone), induced COX-2 expression (protein and mRNA). Moreover stimulation of COX-2 promoter activity was increased by those PUFAs or rosiglitazone. The inhibitory effects of GW9662 and T0070907 (PPARgamma antagonists), on COX-2 expression and on stimulation of COX-2 promoter activity by EPA and GLA suggest that PPARgamma is implicated in COX-2 induction. Finally, PLA2 inhibitor methyl arachidonyl fluorophosphonate blocked the PUFA effects on COX-2 induction, promoter activity and arachidonic acid mobilization suggesting involvement of AA metabolites in PPAR activation. These findings demonstrate that n-3 and n-6 PUFA increased PPARgamma activity is necessary for the COX-2 induction in HaCaT human keratinocyte cells. Given the anti-inflammatory properties of EPA, we suggest that induction of COX-2 in keratinocytes may be important in the anti-inflammatory and protective mechanism of action of PUFAs n-3 or n-6.

Connexins 26, 30, and 43: Differences Among Spontaneous, Chronic, and Accelerated Human Wound Healing

Gap junctions (GJ) are known to be involved in spontaneous wound healing in rodent skin. We analyzed the staining patterns of the GJ proteins Cx26, Cx30, and Cx43 in human cutaneous wound healing and compared ex vivo spontaneous wound healing to non-healing wounds (chronic leg ulcers) and to ex vivo accelerated wound healing after transplantation of cultured keratinocytes. We demonstrate a loss of Cx43 staining at the wound margins during initial wound healing and after transplantation of keratinocytes. In contrast, Cx43 remains present at the margins of most non-healing wounds. We show a subsequent induction of Cx26 and Cx30 near the wound margins in spontaneous wound healing and-even earlier-after the transplantation of keratinocytes. The cells at the wound margins remain negative until the commencement of epidermal regeneration. Cx26/30 are present at the wound margins of most non-healing wounds. Cx stainings are absent in the transplanted keratinocytes during early wound healing, but there is a subsequent induction. Our results suggest that the downregulation of Cx43 is an important event in human wound healing. We discuss the assumption that direct cell-cell communication via GJ contribute to the acceleration of wound healing after the transplantation of keratinocytes.

Organization and formation of the tight junction system in human epidermis and cultured keratinocytes

Occludin and several proteins of the claudin family have been identiried in simple epithelia and in endothelia as major and structure-determining transmembrane proteins clustered in the barrier-forming tight junctions (TJ), where they are associated with a variety of TJ plaque proteins, including protein ZO-1. To examine whether TJ also occur in the squamous stratified epithelium of the interfollicular human epidermis we have applied several microscopic and biochemical techniques. Using RT-PCR techniques, we have identiried mRNAs encoding protein ZO-1, occludin and claudins 1, 4, 7, 8, 11, 12, and 17 in both tissues, skin and cultured keratinocytes, whereas claudins i and 10 have only been detected in skin tissue. By immunocytochemistry we have localized claudin-1, occludin and protein ZO-1 in distinct plasma membrane structures representing cell-cell attachment zones. While claudin-1 occurs in plasma membranes of all living cell layers, protein ZO-1 is concentrated in or even restricted to the uppermost layers, and occludin is often detected only in the stratum granulosum. Using electron microscopy, typical TJ structures ("kissing points") as well as some other apparently related junctional structures have been detected in the stratum granulosum, interspersed between desmosomes. Modes and patterns of TJ formation have also been studied in experimental model systems, e.g., during wound healing and stratification as well as in keratinocyte cultures during Ca2+-induced stratification. We conclude that the epidermis contains in the stratum granulosum a continuous zonula occludens-equivalent structure with typical TJ morphology and molecular composition, characterized by colocalization of occludin, claudins and TJ plaque proteins. In addition, cell-cell contact structures and certain TJ proteins can also be detected in other epidermal cell layers in specific cell contacts. The pattern of formation and possible functions of epidermal TJ and related structures are discussed.

Matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor BB-3103 unlike the serine proteinase inhibitor aprotinin abrogates epidermal healing of human skin wounds ex vivo

Several matrix metalloproteinases and serine proteinases are upregulated in migrating keratinocytes during cutaneous wound repair. Single cell culture studies indicate the necessity for matrix metalloproteinases but not for serine proteinases in keratinocyte locomotion. To account for epithelial-mesenchymal interactions, an ex vivo human skin wound model was used to investigate the contribution of matrix metalloproteinases and serine proteinases to wound healing by treatment with broad-spectrum inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (BB-3103) or serine proteinases (aprotinin). Human skin explants with circular 3 mm superficial defects were incubated in culture medium without (controls) or with the proteinase inhibitors for 7 d. BB-3103 abrogated epithelialization (p < 0.001), whereas aprotinin-treated wounds and controls were covered with new epithelium. Lack of epithelialization was unlikely due to cytotoxicity because the matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor did neither influence viability of cultured epidermal keratinocytes nor apoptosis in wounds. Involvement of specific matrix metalloproteinases in epithelialization was analyzed by gelatin zymography, western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and in situ hybridization. Wound healing was accompanied by active matrix metalloproteinase-1 and increased active matrix metalloproteinase-2 but irrespectively of active matrix metalloproteinase-9. BB-3103 blocked activation of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 but not of matrix metalloproteinase-1. Active matrix metalloproteinase-2 localized solely to the dermis, whereas matrix metalloproteinase-9 was consistently found in new epithelium. Membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase was undetectable in wound keratinocytes. BB-3103 and aprotinin reduced tumor necrosis factor-alpha in media but did not appreciably alter amounts of other soluble regulators of matrix metalloproteinases and epithelialization. Our findings demonstrate that keratinocyte migration is associated with active matrix metalloproteinase-2 but occurs independently of serine proteinases and active matrix metalloproteinase-9 in fibrin-deficient skin wound healing.

An improved and rapid method to construct skin equivalents from human hair follicles and fibroblasts

To produce sufficient amounts of high quality skin equivalents (SE), either allogenic for dermatopharmacological and dermatotoxicological studies or autologous for transplantation purposes, we established a rapid, easy and cost effective three-dimensional SE model on the basis of human dermal fibroblasts, collagen and freshly plucked hair follicles. Acidic liquid collagen was polymerized with sodium hydroxide in the presence of fibroblasts to form a dermal equivalent (DE) resembling normal human dermis. At 24 h later, freshly plucked hair follicles were implanted into the surface of these DEs after cutting their bulbs off. Another 48 h later, the surface of the SEs was lifted to the air-liquid interface. Fourteen days after implantation, outgrowing keratinocytes from the outer root sheath of the hair follicles completely covered the surface of the SE and built a fully developed, multi-layered and cornified epidermis. Histology and immunofluorescence studies with specific antibodies directed against components of keratinocytes, fibroblasts, cell-adhesion molecules, different extracellular matrix and basement membrane proteins revealed the similarity of our three-dimensional SEs to the in vivo situation in normal human skin. Using autologous cell sources and cell culture media enriched with serum from the respective cell donor, it will be possible to use these SEs for autologous transplantation, thereby reducing the risk of transplant rejection.

Models for use in wound healing research: a survey focusing on in vitro and in vivo adult soft tissue

Many different factors must be considered before selecting a wound healing model to use for a specific study. A wide variety of models have been developed that examine different aspects of the repair response, both in vitro and in vivo. In this review article, we focus on those systems that are most widely used for studies on adult soft tissue healing. Advantages and disadvantages of each are discussed, along with relevant background information to help guide decision-making.