11,12 Epoxyeicosatrienoic Acid Rescues Deteriorated Wound Healing in Diabetes

Various effects of 11,12 EET rescue wound healing in a combined model of diabetes and ischemia

Chronic non healing wounds in diabetic patients still impose a major problem in modern medicine. Especially additional peripheral vascular disease complicates treatment success in these patients. Thus, we analyzed the effects of 11,12 epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (EET) in a combined model of hyperglycemia and ischemia in mice. Hyperglycemia was induced by Streptozotozin 2 weeks prior to wounding. 3 days before wound creation 2 of the 3 suppling vessels of the moue ear were cautherized for ischemia. Either 11,12 EET or solvent for control was applied. Wound closure as well as TNF-α, TGF-β, SDF-1α, VEGF, CD31, and Ki67 were measured. The wounds closed on day 14.4 ± 0.4 standard deviation (SD). 11,12 EET treatment enhanced healing to 9.8 ± 0.6 SD. TNF-α level was augmented on day 9 compared to control and receded on day 18. TGF-β seemed to be elevated all days observed after 11,12 EET treatment. SDF-1α was enhanced on day 6 and 9 by 11,12 EET, and VEGF on day 6 and 18 as well as CD13 on day 3, 6, and 18. 11,12 EET did not alter Ki67. 11,12 EET are able to rescue deteriorated wound healing in a combined model of hyperglycamia and ischemia by resolution of inflammation, augmentation of neovascularization and increasing expression of TGF-β as well as SDF-1α.

Current insights into skin lipids and their roles in cutaneous health and disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The unique and complex array of cutaneous lipids include essential components of the skin structure and signalling molecules mediating homeostasis and inflammation. Understanding skin lipid biology and metabolism can support our comprehension of health and disease, including systemic conditions with cutaneous involvement.

RECENT FINDINGS

Lipids found on the skin surface, produced by both the host and resident microbes, maintain and regulate the skin microbiome and the epidermal barrier, whilst altered contributions from either source can be detrimental to skin health. The unique lipid composition of the epidermal barrier is essential for its function, and recent studies have expanded our understanding of epidermal ceramide production. This has been supported by improved models available for skin research, including organotypic skin models enabling in-vitro production of complex acylceramides for the first time, and model systems facilitating in-silico exploration of the lipid profile changes observed in clinical samples. Studies have revealed further involvement of lipid mediators such as eicosanoids in cutaneous inflammation, as well as immune regulation in both healthy and diseased skin.

SUMMARY

Skin lipids offer exciting opportunities as therapeutic targets for many conditions, whether through topical interventions or nutritional supplementation.

Mechanisms underlying pathological scarring by fibroblasts during wound healing

Pathological scarring is an abnormal outcome of wound healing, which often manifests as excessive proliferation and transdifferentiation of fibroblasts (FBs), and excessive deposition of the extracellular matrix. FBs are the most important effector cells involved in wound healing and scar formation. The factors that promote pathological scar formation often act on the proliferation and function of FB. In this study, we describe the factors that lead to abnormal FB formation in pathological scarring in terms of the microenvironment, signalling pathways, epigenetics, and autophagy. These findings suggest that understanding the causes of abnormal FB formation may aid in the development of precise and effective preventive and treatment strategies for pathological scarring that are associated with improved quality of life of patients.