title: Proteolytic activity in wound fluids and tissues derived from chronic venous leg ulcers.
abstract: Venous leg ulcers affect approximately 1% of the general population and 3.6% of those over the age of 65. The goal of the research described herein is to shorten the time to healing by developing wound care alternatives that are based on a comprehensive understanding of the venous ulcer wound environment. The proteolytic and inflammatory components in wound fluids and tissue biopsy samples were characterized in subjects with documented long-standing venous ulcers that had showed resistance to standard therapy. All wounds showed polymicrobial colonization with greater than 10(6) CFU/g. Myeloperoxidase, a measure of leukocyte infiltration, was also markedly elevated in these wounds. Zymography revealed the presence of both pro-matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and pro-MMP-9 in wound fluids and to a lesser extent in tissue biopsies. Using an immunocapture activity assay we reveal a sevenfold excess of MMP-9 in wound fluid as compared to tissue, with 73% in the activated form. In contrast, MMP-8 total protein levels were nearly equal in wound fluids and biopsies. Fibronectin, a critical component of the extracellular matrix, was shown to be degraded in both wound fluids and biopsy samples. Finally, the potential of a novel wound dressing to neutralize several constituents of this hostile wound environment is shown.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA.
authors.forename: Andrea N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Moor
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Vachon
authors.forename: Lisa J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Gould
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D047070:Bandages, Hydrocolloid; D001706:Biopsy; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism*; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007871:Leg Ulcer / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000628:therapy; D019272:Leukocyte Elastase / Q000378:metabolism; D020784:Matrix Metalloproteinase 8 / Q000378:metabolism; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases; D013457:Sulfur Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005353:Fibronectins; D013457:Sulfur Compounds; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases; D019272:Leukocyte Elastase; D020784:Matrix Metalloproteinase 8; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9