Interleukin-1 enhances epidermal wound healing.
Previous in vitro studies suggest that the interleukin-1 (IL-1) proteins may be important for skin function. Keratinocytes are known to synthesize IL-1 in response to injury and IL-1 has been shown to stimulate fibroblast and keratinocyte growth, collagen synthesis by fibroblasts, and chemotaxis of keratinocytes. In order to evaluate the ability of IL-1 to enhance wound healing, recombinant human IL-1 alpha was applied topically in a water-miscible cream to partial thickness wounds made on the backs of pathogen-free adult pigs. The wounded site was excised at various times for assessment of epidermal regeneration. This study shows a statistically significant enhancement of healing of the IL-1-treated wounds compared with either air-exposed or vehicle-treated wounds. Histologic examination of biopsies from IL-1-treated wounds indicated complete and architecturally normal epidermal regeneration. Porcine keratinocytes and membranes prepared from porcine skin were found to possess high affinity receptors for human IL-1 alpha. This study suggests that topical administration of IL-1 may be useful for the promotion of wound healing.
Sauder
D N
DN
Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Kilian
P L
PL
McLane
J A
JA
Quick
T W
TW
Jakubovic
H
H
Davis
S C
SC
Eaglstein
W H
WH
Mertz
P M
PM
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry; D004817:Epidermis / Q000187:drug effects*; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000737:chemistry; D011869:Radioligand Assay; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000032:analysis; D017472:Receptors, Interleukin-1; D013552:Swine; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
D007375:Interleukin-1; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D017472:Receptors, Interleukin-1