Enhanced neovascularization of dermis substitutes via low-pressure plasma-mediated surface activation.
OBJECTIVE
The effect of cold low-pressure plasma treatment on neovascularization of a dermis substitute was evaluated in a mouse model.


METHODS
Collagen-elastin matrices (Matriderm(®)) were used as scaffolds. Low-pressure argon/hydrogene plasma-treated scaffolds were transplanted into the dorsal skinfold chambers of balb/c mice (group 1, n=10). Untreated scaffolds served as controls (group 2, n=10). Intravital fluorescence microscopy was performed within the border zone of the scaffolds on days 1, 5 and 10. Functional vessel density (FVD), vessel diameter, intervascular distance, microvascular permeability, and leukocyte-endothelium interaction were analyzed.


RESULTS
An increase of FVD associated with a reduction of the intervascular distance was observed. Statistical analysis revealed that the functional vessel density in the border zone of the scaffolds was significantly enhanced in the plasma-treated group compared to controls. For group 1, an increase of FVD from 282±8 cm/cm(2) on days 5 to 315±8 cm/cm(2) on day 10 was observed. Whereas values of 254±7 cm/cm(2) on day 5 and 275±13 cm/cm(2) on day 10 have resulted in group 2 (mean±S.E.M., Student's t-test, p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The surface treatment by cold low-pressure plasma intensifies the angiogenesis and accelerates the neovascularization of collagen-elastin matrix.
Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, Burn Center, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr University Bochum, Buerkle-de-la-Camp Platz 1, 44789 Bochum, Germany. andrej.ring@ruhr-uni-bochum.de
Andrej
A
Ring
Stefan
S
Langer
Angela
A
Schaffran
Ingo
I
Stricker
Peter
P
Awakowicz
Hans-Ulrich
HU
Steinau
Jörg
J
Hauser
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002056:Burns / Q000628:therapy*; D003094:Collagen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004549:Elastin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051379:Mice; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D011312:Pressure; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply*; D017768:Skin, Artificial; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003094:Collagen; D004549:Elastin