Clodronate liposomes reduce excessive scar formation in a mouse model of burn injury by reducing collagen deposition and TGF-β1 expression.
Clodronate liposome injection is an effective approach to selectively and specifically depleting macrophages. Macrophages play a crucial role in cutaneous wound healing and are associated with excessive scar formation. Use of clodronate liposomes to enhance cutaneous wound healing and reduce scar formation could represent a major advance in wound therapy and hypertrophic scar treatment. This study aimed to investigate the effects of subcutaneous or intraperitoneal injection of clodronate liposomes on cutaneous wound healing and scar formation. A burn injury mouse model was used. Mice were treated with subcutaneous or intraperitoneal injection of clodronate liposomes. Wound healing time was analyzed and scar tissues were harvested for hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analyses. Wound healing time in treated mice was extended. HE showed that the basal layer of the epidermis in treated scars was flattened, the dermis layer was not significantly thickened, and collagen fibers were well arranged, with few cells and micro vessels. RT-PCR and Western blot analyses showed that the levels of TGF-β1 and collagen I-α2 were decreased in treated mice. Clodronate liposomes reduce excessive scar formation and delay cutaneous wound healing possibly by reducing collagen deposition and macrophage-derived TGF-β1 expression.
Cleft Lip and Palate Treatment Center, Second Affiliated Hospital, Medical College, Shantou University, Shantou, 515041, China.
Shao-Wei
SW
Lu
Xing-Mei
XM
Zhang
Hong-Min
HM
Luo
Yu-Cai
YC
Fu
Ming-Yan
MY
Xu
Shi-Jie
SJ
Tang
D000818:Animals; D002056:Burns / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D004002:Clodronic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism*; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D008081:Liposomes; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D013997:Time Factors; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology
D024042:Collagen Type I; D008081:Liposomes; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D004002:Clodronic Acid; D003094:Collagen