The redox enzyme p66Shc contributes to diabetes and ischemia-induced delay in cutaneous wound healing.
OBJECTIVE
The redox enzyme p66Shc produces hydrogen peroxide and triggers proapoptotic signals. Genetic deletion of p66Shc prolongs life span and protects against oxidative stress. In the present study, we evaluated the role of p66Shc in an animal model of diabetic wound healing.


METHODS
Skin wounds were created in wild-type (WT) and p66Shc(-/-) control and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice with or without hind limb ischemia. Wounds were assessed for collagen content, thickness and vascularity of granulation tissue, apoptosis, reepithelialization, and expression of c-myc and beta-catenin. Response to hind limb ischemia was also evaluated.


RESULTS
Diabetes delayed wound healing in WT mice with reduced granulation tissue thickness and vascularity, increased apoptosis, epithelial expression of c-myc, and nuclear localization of beta-catenin. These nonhealing features were worsened by hind limb ischemia. Diabetes induced p66Shc expression and activation; wound healing was significantly faster in p66Shc(-/-) than in WT diabetic mice, with or without hind limb ischemia, at 1 and 3 months of diabetes duration and in both SV129 and C57BL/6 genetic backgrounds. Deletion of p66Shc reversed nonhealing features, with increased collagen content and granulation tissue thickness, and reduced apoptosis and expression of c-myc and beta-catenin. p66Shc deletion improved response to hind limb ischemia in diabetic mice in terms of tissue damage, capillary density, and perfusion. Migration of p66Shc(-/-) dermal fibroblasts in vitro was significantly faster than WT fibroblasts under both high glucose and hypoxia.


CONCLUSIONS
p66Shc is involved in the delayed wound-healing process in the setting of diabetes and ischemia. Thus, p66Shc may represent a potential therapeutic target against this disabling diabetes complication.
Fadini
Gian Paolo
GP
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Padova Medical School, Padova, Italy. gianpaolofadini@hotmail.com
Albiero
Mattia
M
Menegazzo
Lisa
L
Boscaro
Elisa
E
Pagnin
Elisa
E
Iori
Elisabetta
E
Cosma
Chiara
C
Lapolla
Annunziata
A
Pengo
Vittorio
V
Stendardo
Massimo
M
Agostini
Carlo
C
Pelicci
Pier Giuseppe
PG
Giorgio
Marco
M
Avogaro
Angelo
A
D000818:Animals; D001120:Arginine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D008239:Lysine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D055765:Shc Signaling Adaptor Proteins / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism; D000071425:Src Homology 2 Domain-Containing, Transforming Protein 1; D014443:Tyrosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
D055765:Shc Signaling Adaptor Proteins; C528034:Shc1 protein, mouse; D000071425:Src Homology 2 Domain-Containing, Transforming Protein 1; C002744:3-nitrotyrosine; D014443:Tyrosine; D001120:Arginine; C062187:pentosidine; D008239:Lysine