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Updated: Jul 20, 2026
08:06
Creation and Transplantation of an Adipose-derived Stem Cell (ASC) Sheet in a Diabetic Wound-healing Model
Published on: August 4, 2017
Vascular endothelial growth factor-C accelerates diabetic wound healing
Anne Saaristo1, Tuomas Tammela, Anniina Farkkilā
1Molecular/Cancer Biology Laboratory, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Biomedicum Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland.
The American Journal of Pathology
|August 29, 2006
Summary
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)-C enhances blood vessel formation and lymphatic vessel formation, accelerating diabetic wound healing. Blocking VEGF-C further delays healing, highlighting its therapeutic potential.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Vascular Biology
- Diabetic Complications
Background:
- Diabetes mellitus significantly impairs wound healing processes.
- While impaired angiogenesis is a known factor, the role of lymphangiogenesis in diabetic wound repair remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the therapeutic potential of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C in accelerating diabetic wound healing.
- To determine the effects of VEGF-C overexpression on angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in diabetic wounds.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an adenoviral vector to overexpress VEGF-C in full-thickness punch biopsy wounds in genetically diabetic (db/db) mice.
- Administered a specific inhibitor to block endogenous VEGF-C/VEGF-D function to assess its impact on wound closure.
- Analyzed wound healing, angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, and inflammatory cell recruitment.
Main Results:
- VEGF-C overexpression significantly accelerated wound healing in diabetic mice compared to controls.
- Enhanced angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis were observed in wounds treated with VEGF-C.
- Blocking endogenous VEGF-C/VEGF-D function led to further delays in wound closure.
- VEGF-C promoted the recruitment of inflammatory cells, some expressing VEGFR-3.
Conclusions:
- VEGF-C plays a crucial role in promoting diabetic wound healing by enhancing both angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis.
- VEGF-C demonstrates significant therapeutic potential for treating chronic diabetic wounds.
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