Horobin Adele J, Shakesheff Kevin M, Pritchard David I
School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, UK.
J Invest Dermatol. 2006 Jun;126(6):1410-8. doi: 10.1038/sj.jid.5700256.
Lucilia sericata larvae, or green bottle fly maggots are applied to chronic wounds to aid healing. Previously, our laboratory has characterized the enzymatic activities present within maggot excretions/secretions (ES). Since then, we have related these to the degradation of extracellular matrix components, alteration of human, dermal fibroblast adhesion to surfaces and the stimulation of fibroblast migration within a two-dimensional in vitro assay. In this study, we developed a novel three-dimensional in vitro assay in which to observe fibroblast migration and morphology in response to maggot ES. Here, primary human foreskin fibroblasts were embedded within collagen gels containing fibronectin. Phase contrast and confocal microscopy were used in conjunction with image analysis software to examine and quantify aspects of fibroblast behavior. Our results showed that maggot ES stimulated fibroblast migration through the matrix and induced altered cell morphologies. Remodelling of the extracellular matrix located between individual fibroblasts was also induced, providing a mechanism by which cells may detect each other's presence over considerable distances. Thus, mechanisms by which maggots enhance tissue formation within wounds may be via the promotion of fibroblast motility, acceleration of extracellular matrix remodelling and coordination of cellular responses.
丝光绿蝇幼虫，即绿头苍蝇蛆虫，被应用于慢性伤口以促进愈合。此前，我们实验室已对蛆虫排泄物/分泌物（ES）中的酶活性进行了表征。自那时起，我们已将这些活性与细胞外基质成分的降解、人真皮成纤维细胞对表面的黏附改变以及二维体外试验中成纤维细胞迁移的刺激联系起来。在本研究中，我们开发了一种新型三维体外试验，用于观察成纤维细胞对蛆虫ES的迁移和形态反应。在此，原代人包皮成纤维细胞被包埋在含有纤连蛋白的胶原凝胶中。相差显微镜和共聚焦显微镜与图像分析软件结合使用，以检查和量化成纤维细胞行为的各个方面。我们的结果表明，蛆虫ES刺激成纤维细胞通过基质迁移并诱导细胞形态改变。位于单个成纤维细胞之间的细胞外基质重塑也被诱导，这提供了一种细胞可以在相当远的距离检测彼此存在的机制。因此，蛆虫增强伤口内组织形成的机制可能是通过促进成纤维细胞运动、加速细胞外基质重塑以及协调细胞反应。
