Objective: Increased macrophage recruitment in the early stages of wound healing leads to an excessive inflammatory response associated with elevated fibrosis and scarring. This recruitment relies upon integrins on the surface of monocytes that regulate their migration and extravasation from the circulation into the wound site, where they differentiate into macrophages. The aim of this study was to determine if inhibiting monocyte extravasation from the circulation into burns would reduce macrophages numbers in burns and lead to reduced inflammation and scar formation. Approach: Scald burns were created on mice and treated with integrin alpha L (αL) function blocking antibody via intravenous delivery day 1 after injury. The effect of inhibiting macrophage recruitment into the burn was assessed using macro- and microscopic wound parameters as well as immunohistochemistry for inflammatory cell markers, cytokines, and collagen deposition. Results: Burn wound-associated macrophages were reduced by 54.7% at day 3 following treatment with integrin αL antibody, with levels returning to normal by day 7. This reduction in macrophages led to a concomitant reduction in inflammatory mediators, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) and Il-10 as well as a reduction in proscarring transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1). This reduced inflammatory response was also associated with less alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA) expression and an overall trend toward reduced scar formation with a lower collagen I/III ratio. Innovation: Treatment of burns with integrin αL function blocking antibodies reduces inflammation in burn wounds. Conclusion: These results suggest that reducing macrophage infiltration into burn wounds may lead to a reduced early inflammatory response and less scar formation following burn injury.
Keywords: TGFβ1; TNFα; burns; integrin; macrophage.