Effects of Blocking αvβ3 integrin by a recombinant RGD disintegrin on remodeling of wound healing after induction of incisional hernia in rats

Abstract

PURPOSE: Incisional hernia (IH) is characterized by defective wound healing process. Disba-01, a αvb3 integrin blocker has shown to control the rate of wound repair and therefore it could be a target for new wound healing therapies.The objective of the study was to determine the changes induced by Disba-01 on repair of wound healing after induced IH in rats. METHODS: Thirty two male albino rats were submitted to IH and divided into 4 experimental groups: G1, placebo control; G2, DisBa-01-treated; G3, anti-αvβ3 antibodies-treated and G4, anti-α2 antibodies-treated. Histological. biochemical and extracellular matrix remodeling analysis of abdominal wall were evaluated. RESULTS: After 14 days, 100% of the G2 did not present hernia, and the hernia ring was closed by a thin membrane. In contrast, all groups maintained incisional hernia. DisBa-01 also increased the number macrophages and fibroblasts and induced the formation of new vessels. Additionally, MMP-2 was strongly activated only in G2 (P<0.05). Anti- αvβ3-integrin antibodies produced similar results than Disba-01 but not anti-α2 integrin blocking antibodies. CONCLUSION: These results strongly indicate that Disba-01 has an important role in the control of wound healing and the blocking of this integrin may be an interesting therapeutical strategy in IH.

Keywords

• incisional hernia
• disintegrin
• wound healing
• MMP-2
• αvβ3 integrin