Role of Fibronectin in Wound Healing.
Abstract
The purpose of the project was to determine if local or systemic manipulation of circulating fibronection (Fn, a normal plasma and extracellular matrix glycoprotein) levels affects the rate of wound healing. Initial experiments were designed to determine if Fn is involved in opsonization of effete cells and tissue debris for removal by tissue macrophages. Within two hours after wounding and injection of fluorescene-labeled Fn, tissue debris at the wound site was coated with Fn, and dammaged cells were also coated by 24 hrs. By 48 hrs, macrophages at the site of injury had phagocytized Fn coated tissue debris and/or cells. Thus, effete materials at the wound site are quickly labeled by plasma Fn for removal by tissue macrophages. Subsequent experiments were done to determine if Fn enhanced the healing rate of dermal injuries. Rat Fn was suspended in various inert carriers and used to treat full thickness skin lesions on rats. Fn in several carriers was effective in stimulating significantly faster wound healing than was seen with the carrier mixed with PBS. Further experiments showed that treatment once a day for two days was as effective in enhancing wound healing as more prolonged treatment. A single treatment with Fn on the day of the injury enhanced wound healing but not as much as treatment for two days. One could also delay starting treatment for a few hours after injury and still significantly improve the healing rate.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 12, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA181668
Entities
People
- Andy C. Reese
Organizations
- Medical College of Georgia