The omentum is a site of stromal cell-derived factor 1alpha production and reservoir for CXC chemokine receptor 4-positive cell recruitment.
BACKGROUND
The mechanism of the omental response to injury remains poorly defined. This study investigates the omental reaction to a foreign body, examining the role of a chemokine ligand/receptor pair known to play a crucial role in angiogenesis and wound healing.


METHODS
A ventral hernia, surgically created in the abdominal wall of 6 swine, was repaired with silicone sheeting to activate the omentum. Omental thickness was determined by ultrasonography. Serial stromal cell-derived factor 1alpha (SDF-1alpha) concentrations were measured in blood, wound, and peritoneal fluids by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.


RESULTS
During the 14-day study period, serial ultrasonography showed a 20-fold increase in omental thickness, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay revealed a 4-fold increase in SDF-1alpha concentration in local wound fluid. Omental vessel count and vascular surface area were 8- to 10-fold higher in reactive omentum. Immunohistochemistry showed nearly complete replacement of control omental fat with CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4)-positive cells by day 14.


CONCLUSIONS
Activated omentum, important in the SDF-1alpha/CXCR4 axis, may serve as an intraperitoneal reservoir for recruitment of circulating bone marrow-derived cells vital to healing.
Saqib
Naveed U
NU
Department of Surgery, University of New Mexico HSC, Albuquerque, 87131, USA.
McGuire
Paul G
PG
Howdieshell
Thomas R
TR
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D054377:Chemokine CXCL12 / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005549:Foreign-Body Reaction / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006555:Hernia, Ventral / Q000503:physiopathology; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D009852:Omentum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism*; D019718:Receptors, CXCR4 / Q000032:analysis*; D012828:Silicones; D013552:Swine; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D054377:Chemokine CXCL12; D019718:Receptors, CXCR4; D012828:Silicones