Compromised angiogenesis and vascular Integrity in impaired diabetic wound healing

PLoS One. 2020 Apr 23;15(4):e0231962. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0231962. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Vascular deficits are a fundamental contributing factor of diabetes-associated diseases. Although previous studies have demonstrated that the pro-angiogenic phase of wound healing is blunted in diabetes, a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms that regulate skin revascularization and capillary stabilization in diabetic wounds is lacking. Using a mouse model of diabetic wound healing, we performed microCT analysis of the 3-dimensional architecture of the capillary bed. As compared to wild type, vessel surface area, branch junction number, total vessel length, and total branch number were significantly decreased in wounds of diabetic mice as compared to WT mice. Diabetic mouse wounds also had significantly increased capillary permeability and decreased pericyte coverage of capillaries. Diabetic wounds exhibited significant perturbations in the expression of factors that affect vascular regrowth, maturation and stability. Specifically, the expression of VEGF-A, Sprouty2, PEDF, LRP6, Thrombospondin 1, CXCL10, CXCR3, PDGFR-β, HB-EGF, EGFR, TGF-β1, Semaphorin3a, Neuropilin 1, angiopoietin 2, NG2, and RGS5 were down-regulated in diabetic wounds. Together, these studies provide novel information about the complexity of the perturbation of angiogenesis in diabetic wounds. Targeting factors responsible for wound resolution and vascular pruning, as well those that affect pericyte recruitment, maturation, and stability may have the potential to improve diabetic skin wound healing.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Vessels / diagnostic imaging
  • Blood Vessels / metabolism
  • Blood Vessels / pathology*
  • Blood Vessels / physiopathology*
  • Capillaries / metabolism
  • Capillaries / physiopathology
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / diagnostic imaging
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / pathology*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / physiopathology*
  • Female
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic*
  • Pericytes / pathology
  • Permeability
  • Wound Healing*
  • X-Ray Microtomography

Associated data

  • figshare/10.6084/m9.figshare.11553306.v1