Effect of activated autologous monocytes/macrophages on wound healing in a rodent model of experimental diabetes

Abstract

AimWe aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the application of activated autologous monocytes/macrophages (Mo/Mp) on wound healing in diabetic rats. MethodsSixty male SD rats were equally divided into the following: control group (normal, nondiabetic), PBS-treated diabetic group, and tumor necrotic factor alpha (TNF-α) plus interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-stimulated or unstimulated Mo/Mp-treated diabetic group. Full-thickness round wounds (1cm×1cm) were created in the right hind foot of rats and the wounds were treated with PBS or Mo/Mp on day 1 after injury. In the following 14 days, the percentage of wound contraction was measured, histologic examination was performed with hematoxylin and eosin staining, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the wound was evaluated by Western blot analysis. ResultsDiabetic rats exhibited impaired wound healing with delayed angiogenesis and VEGF expression. The early application of TNF-α plus IFN-γ-stimulated autologous Mo/Mp to diabetic wounds significantly improved the delayed wound healing through the stimulation of angiogenesis and re-epithelization, as well as restoring the defect in VEGF expression. ConclusionsMo/Mp activated by TNF-α and IFN-γ promotes diabetic wound healing and normalizes the defect in VEGF regulation associated with diabetes-induced skin-repair disorders.