Pigment epithelium-derived factor attenuates angiogenesis and collagen deposition in hypertrophic scars

Da Ma, Lin Chen, Junhe Shi, Yan Zhao, Shruti Vasani, Kevin Chen, Bruna Romana-Souza, Jack Henkin, Luisa A. DiPietro*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Scar forming wounds are often characterized by higher levels of vascularity than non-scarring wounds and normal skin, and inhibition of angiogenesis has been shown to inhibit scar formation in some model systems. The rabbit ear hypertrophic scar (HS) model has been widely used to study the mechanisms that underlie the development of HS as well as the effectiveness of various treatments. Although the rabbit ear HS model is well characterized in terms of scar formation, the rate and level of angiogenesis has not been investigated in this model, and the cause-effect relationship between angiogenesis and rabbit HSs has not been examined. In the current study, full-thickness excisional wounds were created on the ventral side of New Zealand White rabbit ears to induce HS formation, and the dynamic pattern of angiogenesis and the expression of angiogenic regulatory factors were examined over time. Blood vessel density was found to peak at 2.7% on day 14 post-wounding, decreasing to 1.7% by day 28. mRNA levels of the proangiogenic factor VEGF-A peaked at day 14, while the expression of the antiangiogenic factors pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) and thrombospondin 1 (TSP1) peaked at day 28 post-wounding. To examine whether inhibition of angiogenesis influences HS formation in this model, wounds were treated with exogenous soluble antiangiogenic agents including recombinant PEDF (rPEDF) and a functional PEDF peptide (PEDF-335). rPEDF and PEDF-335 were administered intradermally from day 4 post-wounding every 3 days until day 19. Intradermal injection of rPEDF or PEDF-335 both led to decreased angiogenesis and decreased collagen deposition at the wound site. The results support the utility of antiangiogenic therapies, including rPEDF/PEDF-335, as a potential new strategy for the prevention or treatment of HSs.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)684-695
Number of pages12
JournalWound Repair and Regeneration
Volume28
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 2020

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Dermatology
  • Surgery

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Pigment epithelium-derived factor attenuates angiogenesis and collagen deposition in hypertrophic scars'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this