title: Effects of interleukin-8 on granulation tissue maturation.
abstract: The inflammatory alpha-chemokine, interleukin-8 (IL-8), affects the function and recruitment of various inflammatory cells, fibroblasts, and keratinocytes. Gap junctions are anatomical channels that facilitate the direct passage of small molecules between cells. The hypothesis is that IL-8 enhances gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) between fibroblasts in granulation tissue, which increases the rate of granulation tissue maturation. In vitro, human dermal fibroblasts were incubated with IL-8 prior to scrape loading, a technique that quantifies GJIC. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) sponges were implanted within subcutaneous pockets in rats and received local injections of either IL-8 or saline and were harvested on day 11. In vitro, IL-8 treated fibroblasts demonstrated an increase in GJIC by scrape loading compared to saline treated controls. In vivo, IL-8 treated PVA sponges demonstrated a decrease in cell density and an increase in vascularization compared to saline controls by H&E staining. Polarized light viewed Sirius red-stained specimens demonstrated greater collagen birefringence intensity, indicating thicker, more-mature collagen fibers. IL-8 increases GJIC in cultured fibroblasts and induces a more rapid maturation of granulation tissue.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033-0850, USA.
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Moyer
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Saggers
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Allison
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Mackay
authors.forename: H P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Ehrlich
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002452:Cell Count; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018031:Connexin 43 / Q000378:metabolism; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D004817:Epidermis / Q000378:metabolism; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006097:Granulation Tissue / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D020007:Implants, Experimental; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects; D010766:Phosphorylation; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D018031:Connexin 43; D016209:Interleukin-8; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol