scholarly journals Copper, an Abandoned Player Returning to the Wound Healing Battle

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gadi Borkow ◽  
Eyal Melamed
Keyword(s):  
Wound Healing ◽  
Copper Oxide ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Copper Ions ◽  
Lysyl Oxidase ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Dermal Fibroblasts ◽  
Wound Dressings ◽  
Continuous Release

Copper has two key properties that endow it as an excellent active ingredient to be used in the “wound healing battle”. First, copper plays a key role in angiogenesis, dermal fibroblasts proliferation, upregulation of collagen and elastin fibers production by dermal fibroblasts, and it serves as a cofactor of Lysyl oxidase needed for efficient dermal extracellular matrix (ECM) protein cross-linking. Secondly, copper has potent wide-spectrum biocidal properties. Both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, including antibiotic resistant bacteria and hard to kill bacterial spores, fungi and viruses, when exposed to high copper concentrations, are killed. Copper has been used as a biocide for centuries by many different civilizations. Impregnation of copper oxide microparticles in wound dressings allows continuous release of copper ions. This results not only in the protection of the wounds and wound dressings from pathogens, but more importantly, enhances wound healing. The article discusses the molecular mechanisms of enhanced wound healing by the copper oxide impregnated dressings, which include in situ upregulation of pro-angiogenic factors and increased blood vessel formation. It also includes clinical cases showing clearance of infection, induction of granulation and epithelialization of necrotic wounds, reduction of post-operative swelling inflammation and reduction of scar formation, in wounds when they were treated with copper oxide impregnated dressings. We show the positive outcome at all wound healing stages of using the copper impregnated wound dressings, indicating the neglected critical role copper plays in wound healing.

scholarly journals Stimulation of Healing of Non-Infected Stagnated Diabetic Wounds by Copper Oxide-Impregnated Wound Dressings

Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (10) ◽  
pp. 1129
Author(s):  
Eyal Melamed ◽  
Alexei Rovitsky ◽  
Tohar Roth ◽  
Lior Assa ◽  
Gadi Borkow
Keyword(s):  
Wound Healing ◽  
Copper Oxide ◽  
Chronic Wounds ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Weight Bearing ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Wound Dressings ◽  
Diabetic Patients ◽  
Intelligence System ◽  
Diabetic Wounds

Background and Objective: Copper, a wide spectrum biocide, also plays a key role in angiogenesis and wound healing. Antibacterial wound dressings impregnated with copper oxide microparticles (COD) have been recently cleared by the U.S. FDA and other regulatory bodies for the treatment of acute and chronic wounds, including diabetic wounds. Our objective was to evaluate the capacity of COD in stimulating the healing of non-infected stagnated wounds in diabetic patients initially treated with standard of care (SOC) dressings. Materials and Methods: The trial was divided into the three following phases: 1–2 weeks of screening, during which the patients were treated with SOC dressings; 4 weeks of treatment, during which the COD was applied twice weekly; and 2 weeks of follow-up, during which the patients were again treated with SOC dressings. The wound conditions and sizes were assessed by clinical evaluation and a wound imaging artificial intelligence system. Results: Following 1 month of COD treatment, there was a clear reduction in the mean wound area (53.2%; p = 0.003), an increase in granulation tissue (43.37; p < 0.001), and a reduction in fibrins (47.8%; p = 0.002). In patients with non-weight-bearing wounds, the reduction in wound size was even more dramatic (66.9%; p < 0.001). Conclusions: The results of this study, showing a statistically significant influence of COD on wound healing of hard-to-heal wounds in diabetic patients, strongly supports the notion that copper oxide-impregnated dressings enhance wound healing directly. Further larger controlled studies should be conducted to substantiate our findings.

Identifying New Pathways and Targets for Wound Healing and Therapeutics from Natural Sources

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinchi Feng ◽  
Jinsong Hao
Keyword(s):  
Wound Healing ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Chronic Wounds ◽  
Wound Care ◽  
Healing Process ◽  
Unmet Need ◽  
Wound Dressings ◽  
Wound Healing Process ◽  
Natural Sources ◽  
Viable Approach

: Chronic wounds remain a significant public problem and the development of wound treatments has been a research focus for the past few decades. Despite advances in the products derived from endogenous substances involved in a wound healing process (e.g. growth factors, stem cells, and extracellular matrix), effective and safe wound therapeutics are still limited. There is an unmet need to develop new therapeutics. Various new pathways and targets have been identified and could become a molecular target in designing novel wound agents. Importantly, many existing drugs that target these newly identified pathways could be repositioned for wound therapy, which will facilitate fast translation of research findings to clinical applications. This review discusses the newly identified pathways/targets and their potential uses in the development of wound therapeutics. Some herbs and amphibian skins have been traditionally used for wound repairs and their active ingredients have been found to act in these new pathways. Hence, screening these natural products for novel wound therapeutics remains a viable approach. The outcomes of wound care using natural wound therapeutics could be improved if we can better understand their cellular and molecular mechanisms and fabricate them in appropriate formulations, such as using novel wound dressings and nano-engineered materials. Therefore, we also provide an update on the advances in the wound therapeutics from natural sources. Overall, this review offers new insights into novel wound therapeutics.

scholarly journals The Molecular Mechanisms Underlying the Regulation of the Biological Activity of Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone Receptors: Implications for Physiology and Pathophysiology

2006 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 260-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward W. Hillhouse ◽  
Dimitris K. Grammatopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Biological Activity ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Hormone Receptors ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Tissue Specific ◽  
Functional Flexibility ◽  
Biological Responses ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
The Impact

The CRH receptor (CRH-R) is a member of the secretin family of G protein-coupled receptors. Wide expression of CRH-Rs in the central nervous system and periphery ensures that their cognate agonists, the family of CRH-like peptides, are capable of exerting a wide spectrum of actions that underpin their critical role in integrating the stress response and coordinating the activity of fundamental physiological functions, such as the regulation of the cardiovascular system, energy balance, and homeostasis. Two types of mammal CRH-R exist, CRH-R1 and CRH-R2, each with unique splicing patterns and remarkably distinct pharmacological properties, but similar signaling properties, probably reflecting their distinct and sometimes contrasting biological functions. The regulation of CRH-R expression and activity is not fully elucidated, and we only now begin to fully understand the impact on mammalian pathophysiology. The focus of this review is the current and evolving understanding of the molecular mechanisms controlling CRH-R biological activity and functional flexibility. This shows notable tissue-specific characteristics, highlighted by their ability to couple to distinct G proteins and activate tissue-specific signaling cascades. The type of activating agonist, receptor, and target cell appears to play a major role in determining the overall signaling and biological responses in health and disease.

scholarly journals A gelatin/collagen/polycaprolactone scaffold for skin regeneration

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e6358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lin-Gwei Wei ◽  
Hsin-I Chang ◽  
Yiwei Wang ◽  
Shan-hui Hsu ◽  
Lien-Guo Dai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Wound Healing ◽  
Dermal Fibroblasts ◽  
Skin Regeneration ◽  
Collagen Content ◽  
Wound Dressings ◽  
Skin Substitute ◽  
Epidermal Keratinocytes ◽  
Adipose Derived Stem Cells

Background A tissue-engineered skin substitute, based on gelatin (“G”), collagen (“C”), and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL; “P”), was developed. Method G/C/P biocomposites were fabricated by impregnation of lyophilized gelatin/collagen (GC) mats with PCL solutions, followed by solvent evaporation. Two different GC:PCL ratios (1:8 and 1:20) were used. Results Differential scanning calorimetry revealed that all G/C/P biocomposites had characteristic melting point of PCL at around 60 °C. Scanning electron microscopy showed that all biocomposites had similar fibrous structures. Good cytocompatibility was present in all G/C/P biocomposites when incubated with primary human epidermal keratinocytes (PHEK), human dermal fibroblasts (PHDF) and human adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) in vitro. All G/C/P biocomposites exhibited similar cell growth and mechanical characteristics in comparison with C/P biocomposites. G/C/P biocomposites with a lower collagen content showed better cell proliferation than those with a higher collagen content in vitro. Due to reasonable mechanical strength and biocompatibility in vitro, G/C/P with a lower content of collagen and a higher content of PCL (GCLPH) was selected for animal wound healing studies. According to our data, a significant promotion in wound healing and skin regeneration could be observed in GCLPH seeded with adipose-derived stem cells by Gomori’s trichrome staining. Conclusion This study may provide an effective and low-cost wound dressings to assist skin regeneration for clinical use.

scholarly journals The Vitamin D Receptor Regulates Tissue Resident Macrophage Response to Injury

Endocrinology ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 157 (10) ◽  
pp. 4066-4075 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lige Song ◽  
Garyfallia Papaioannou ◽  
Hengguang Zhao ◽  
Hilary F. Luderer ◽  
Christine Miller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Wound Healing ◽  
Vitamin D Receptor ◽  
Macrophage Polarization ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Dermal Fibroblasts ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Macrophage Response ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Inflammatory Phase

Ligand-dependent actions of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) play a pleiotropic role in the regulation of innate and adaptive immunity. The liganded VDR is required for recruitment of macrophages during the inflammatory phase of cutaneous wound healing. Although the number of macrophages in the granulation tissue 2 days after wounding is markedly reduced in VDR knockout (KO) compared with wild-type mice, VDR ablation does not alter macrophage polarization. Parabiosis studies demonstrate that circulatory chimerism with wild-type mice is unable to rescue the macrophage defect in the wounds of VDR KO mice and reveal that wound macrophages are of local origin, regardless of VDR status. Wound cytokine analyses demonstrated a decrease in macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) protein levels in VDR KO mice. Consistent with this, induction of M-CSF gene expression by TGFβ and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D was impaired in dermal fibroblasts isolated from VDR KO mice. Because M-CSF is important for macrophage self-renewal, studies were performed to evaluate the response of tissue resident macrophages to this cytokine. A decrease in M-CSF induced proliferation and cyclin D1 expression was observed in peritoneal resident macrophages isolated from VDR KO mice, suggesting an intrinsic macrophage abnormality. Consistent with this, wound-healing assays in mice with macrophage-specific VDR ablation demonstrate that a normal wound microenvironment cannot compensate for the absence of the VDR in macrophages and thus confirm a critical role for the macrophage VDR in the inflammatory response to injury.

scholarly journals Effect of Hypoxia on Gene Expression in Cell Populations Involved in Wound Healing

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah D’Alessandro ◽  
Andrea Magnavacca ◽  
Federica Perego ◽  
Marco Fumagalli ◽  
Enrico Sangiovanni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Wound Healing ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Healing Process ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Dermal Fibroblasts ◽  
Cell Populations ◽  
Wound Healing Process

Wound healing is a complex process regulated by multiple signals and consisting of several phases known as haemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodelling. Keratinocytes, endothelial cells, macrophages, and fibroblasts are the major cell populations involved in wound healing process. Hypoxia plays a critical role in this process since cells sense and respond to hypoxic conditions by changing gene expression. This study assessed the in vitro expression of 77 genes involved in angiogenesis, metabolism, cell growth, proliferation and apoptosis in human keratinocytes (HaCaT), microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1), differentiated macrophages (THP-1), and dermal fibroblasts (HDF). Results indicated that the gene expression profiles induced by hypoxia were cell-type specific. In HMEC-1 and differentiated THP-1, most of the genes modulated by hypoxia encode proteins involved in angiogenesis or belonging to cytokines and growth factors. In HaCaT and HDF, hypoxia mainly affected the expression of genes encoding proteins involved in cell metabolism. This work can help to enlarge the current knowledge about the mechanisms through which a hypoxic environment influences wound healing processes at the molecular level.

Molecular mechanisms of enhanced wound healing by copper oxide-impregnated dressings

2010 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 266-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gadi Borkow ◽  
Jeffrey Gabbay ◽  
Rima Dardik ◽  
Arthur I. Eidelman ◽  
Yossi Lavie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wound Healing ◽  
Copper Oxide ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms

scholarly journals Esophageal Cancer Development: Crucial Clues Arising from the Extracellular Matrix

Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 455 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Palumbo ◽  
Nathalia Meireles Da Costa ◽  
Bruno Pontes ◽  
Felipe Leite de Oliveira ◽  
Matheus Lohan Codeço ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Esophageal Cancer ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Dermatan Sulfate ◽  
Lysyl Oxidase ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Solid Base ◽  
Oncogenic Signaling ◽  
Ecm Remodeling ◽  
Esophageal Carcinogenesis

In the last years, the extracellular matrix (ECM) has been reported as playing a relevant role in esophageal cancer (EC) development, with this compartment being related to several aspects of EC genesis and progression. This sounds very interesting due to the complexity of this highly incident and lethal tumor, which takes the sixth position in mortality among all tumor types worldwide. The well-established increase in ECM stiffness, which is able to trigger mechanotransduction signaling, is capable of regulating several malignant behaviors by converting alteration in ECM mechanics into cytoplasmatic biochemical signals. In this sense, it has been shown that some molecules play a key role in these events, particularly the different collagen isoforms, as well as enzymes related to its turnover, such as lysyl oxidase (LOX) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). In fact, MMPs are not only involved in ECM stiffness, but also in other events related to ECM homeostasis, which includes ECM remodeling. Therefore, the crucial role of distinct MMPs isoform has already been reported, especially MMP-2, -3, -7, and -9, along EC development, thus strongly associating these proteins with the control of important cellular events during tumor progression, particularly in the process of invasion during metastasis establishment. In addition, by distinct mechanisms, a vast diversity of glycoproteins and proteoglycans, such as laminin, fibronectin, tenascin C, galectin, dermatan sulfate, and hyaluronic acid exert remarkable effects in esophageal malignant cells due to the activation of oncogenic signaling pathways mainly involved in cytoskeleton alterations during adhesion and migration processes. Finally, the wide spectrum of interactions potentially mediated by ECM may represent a singular intervention scenario in esophageal carcinogenesis natural history and, due to the scarce knowledge on the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in EC development, the growing body of evidence on ECM’s role along esophageal carcinogenesis might provide a solid base to improve its management in the future.

scholarly journals The Dishevelled-binding protein CXXC5 negatively regulates cutaneous wound healing

2015 ◽  
Vol 212 (7) ◽  
pp. 1061-1080 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soung-Hoon Lee ◽  
Mi-Yeon Kim ◽  
Hyun-Yi Kim ◽  
Young-Mi Lee ◽  
Heesu Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wound Healing ◽  
Negative Feedback ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Dermal Fibroblasts ◽  
Epidermal Keratinocytes ◽  
Binding Motif ◽  
Cutaneous Wound Healing ◽  
Collagen Production ◽  
Cutaneous Wound

Wnt/β-catenin signaling plays important roles in cutaneous wound healing and dermal fibrosis. However, its regulatory mechanism has not been fully elucidated, and a commercially available wound-healing agent targeting this pathway is desirable but currently unavailable. We found that CXXC-type zinc finger protein 5 (CXXC5) serves as a negative feedback regulator of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway by interacting with the Dishevelled (Dvl) protein. In humans, CXXC5 protein levels were reduced in epidermal keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts of acute wounds. A differential regulation of β-catenin, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and collagen I by overexpression and silencing of CXXC5 in vitro indicated a critical role for this factor in myofibroblast differentiation and collagen production. In addition, CXXC5−/− mice exhibited accelerated cutaneous wound healing, as well as enhanced keratin 14 and collagen synthesis. Protein transduction domain (PTD)–Dvl-binding motif (DBM), a competitor peptide blocking CXXC5-Dvl interactions, disrupted this negative feedback loop and activated β-catenin and collagen production in vitro. Co-treatment of skin wounds with PTD-DBM and valproic acid (VPA), a glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) inhibitor which activates the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, synergistically accelerated cutaneous wound healing in mice. Together, these data suggest that CXXC5 would represent a potential target for future therapies aimed at improving wound healing.

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