Journal of Inflammation Research (Apr 2024)
Tat-CIRP Peptide Facilitates Frozen Wound Healing by Ameliorating Inflammation and Promoting Angiogenesis
Abstract
Jiayan Li,1,* Jie Ding,1,* Haoyang Wu,1 Chenyan Lu,1 Jian Wu,2 Qianqian Luo1 1Department of Hypoxic Biomedicine, Institute of Special Environmental Medicine and Coinnovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, 226019, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Pharmacy, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Jian Wu, Department of Pharmacy, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, 12 Middle Urumqi Road, Shanghai, 200040, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-21-54601295, Email [email protected] Qianqian Luo, Department of Hypoxic Biomedicine, Institute of Special Environmental Medicine and Coinnovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, 9 Seyuan Road, Chongchuan District, Nantong, Jiangsu, 226019, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-513-85503378, Email [email protected]: Frostbite is a chemia resulting from cold-induced skin damage. The process of frostbite is often accompanied by inflammation, and the therapeutic strategies focusing on anti-inflammation are the main direction to data. Tat-CIRP is a 15 amino acid peptide containing HIV protein and cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRP), which is believed to compete with endogenous CIRP for myeloid differentiation 2 (MD2) binding. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of Tat-CIRP in the treatment of frostbite.Methods: A mouse model of frostbite was established, and on the first day after frostbite occurrence, Tat-CIRP peptide was administered intravenously via the tail with a dosage interval of one day for a total of three doses. Frozen mouse skin sections were subjected to histological analysis, including hematoxylin–eosin (HE) staining, Masson staining, and immunohistochemical examination. Western blotting was performed to detect the expression level of Ki-67 in mouse skin tissue.Results: One day after frostbite, mice exhibited skin swelling and a solid appearance. From day 1 to 5 after frostbite, MD2 expression was significantly upregulated, while CIRP expression was downregulated. Compared to the frostbite group, mice treated with Tat-CIRP showed accelerated frostbite recovery, reduced levels of inflammatory factors and MD2. Furthermore, the expression of cell proliferation-associated protein Ki-67 and angiogenesis-related protein CD31 was upregulated.Conclusion: Tat-CIRP promotes frozen wound healing via inhibiting inflammation and promoting angiogenesis in frostbitten mice.Keywords: frostbite, Tat-CIRP, inflammation, angiogenesis