Accelerated wound healing by in vivo application of keratinocytes overexpressing KGF

Mol Ther. 2004 Jul;10(1):86-96. doi: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2004.04.016.

Abstract

Epidermal regeneration is a complex process, strongly influenced by growth factors, including keratinocyte growth factor (KGF). The objective of this study was to establish immortalized HaCaT keratinocytes and KMST-6-fibroblasts stably expressing KGF. Transfection efficiency, genomic integration, and functionality of the transgene were determined by ELISA and PCR, and KGF-expressing clones were selected using an air-liquid interface test system. HaCaT cells displayed stronger transgene expression compared to transfected fibroblasts, and the most effective HaCaT clone was incubated on a membrane carrier to form a "membrane cell graft." Twenty-one superficial second-degree burn wounds were created in each of three pigs, and wound healing capacity of the generated "polypeptide cell delivery system" after grafting was examined. Untransfected HaCaT keratinocytes and membrane-covered and untreated burn wounds served as controls. Histological and macroscopical follow-up revealed that grafting of transfected HaCaT cells resulted in complete reepithelialization within 5 days, while wounds covered with untransfected cells needed 2 days longer. At untreated sites, a thin epithelium was detectable after 10 days. The results indicate that wound healing processes can be stimulated distinctly by growth factors secreted from HaCaT cells, with a prominent role for transgenic KGF.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Burns / pathology
  • Burns / therapy
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Transplantation / methods*
  • Epidermis / physiology*
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 7
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors / genetics*
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors / metabolism
  • Genetic Therapy / methods*
  • Genetic Vectors / genetics
  • Humans
  • Keratinocytes / metabolism*
  • Keratinocytes / transplantation*
  • Plasmids / genetics
  • Swine
  • Transfection
  • Wound Healing*

Substances

  • FGF7 protein, human
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 7
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors