Bioactive glass promotes the barrier functional behaviors of keratinocytes and improves the Re-epithelialization in wound healing in diabetic rats

Fengling Tang; Junliang Li; Weihan Xie; Yunfei Mo; Lu Ouyang; Fujian Zhao; Xiaoling Fu; Xiaofeng Chen

Bioactive Materials (Oct 2021)

Bioactive glass promotes the barrier functional behaviors of keratinocytes and improves the Re-epithelialization in wound healing in diabetic rats

Fengling Tang,
Junliang Li,
Weihan Xie,
Yunfei Mo,
Lu Ouyang,
Fujian Zhao,
Xiaoling Fu,
Xiaofeng Chen

Affiliations

Fengling Tang: Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, PR China; National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Guangdong Province, and Innovation Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
Junliang Li: National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Guangdong Province, and Innovation Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
Weihan Xie: Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, PR China; National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
Yunfei Mo: Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, PR China; National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Guangdong Province, and Innovation Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
Lu Ouyang: Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, PR China; National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Guangdong Province, and Innovation Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
Fujian Zhao: Stomatological Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, PR China
Xiaoling Fu: Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, PR China; National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Guangdong Province, and Innovation Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Corresponding author. National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, Guangzhou 510006, PR China.
Xiaofeng Chen: Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, PR China; National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Guangdong Province, and Innovation Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Corresponding author. National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, Guangzhou 510006, PR China.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 6, no. 10
pp. 3496 – 3506

Abstract

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Upon skin injury, re-epithelialization must be triggered promptly to restore the integrity and barrier function of the epidermis. However, this process is often delayed or interrupted in chronic wounds like diabetic foot ulcers. Considering that BG particles can activate multiple genes in various cells, herein, we hypothesized that bioactive glass (BG) might be able to modulate the barrier functional behaviors of keratinocytes. By measuring the transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and the paracellular tracer flux, we found the 58S-BG extracts substantially enhanced the barrier function of keratinocyte monolayers. The BG extracts might exert such effects by promoting the keratinocyte differentiation and the formation of tight junctions, as evidenced by the increased expression of critical differentiation markers (K10 and involucrin) and TJ protein claudin-1, as well as the altered subcellular location of four major TJ proteins (claudin-1, occludin, JAM-A, and ZO-1). Besides, the cell scratch assay showed that BG extracts induced the collective migration of keratinocytes, though they did not accelerate the migration rate compared to the control. The in vivo study using a diabetic rat wound model demonstrated that the BG extracts accelerated the process of re-epithelialization, stimulated keratinocyte differentiation, and promoted the formation of tight junctions in the newly regenerated epidermis. Our findings revealed the crucial effects of BGs on keratinocytes and highlighted its potential application for chronic wound healing by restoring the barrier function of the wounded skin effectively.

Published in Bioactive Materials

ISSN: 2452-199X (Online)
Publisher: KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.
Country of publisher: China
LCC subjects: Technology: Electrical engineering. Electronics. Nuclear engineering: Materials of engineering and construction. Mechanics of materials; Science: Biology (General)
Website: https://www.keaipublishing.com/en/journals/bioactive-materials/

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