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Updated: Apr 12, 2026
Murine Excisional Wound Healing Model and Histological Morphometric Wound Analysis
Published on: August 21, 2020
Stimulation of cutaneous wound healing by an FPR2-specific peptide agonist WKYMVm
Yang Woo Kwon1, Soon Chul Heo1, Il Ho Jang1
1Department of Physiology.
Abstract:
Diabetes is one of the most common human diseases and 15% of the 200 million diabetics worldwide suffer from diabetic wounds. Development of new therapeutic agents is needed for treatment of diabetic wounds. Wound healing is mediated by multiple steps, including inflammation, epithelialization, neoangiogenesis, and granulation. Formyl peptide receptor 2 has been known to stimulate angiogenesis, which is essential for tissue repair and cutaneous wound healing. In this study, we explored the therapeutic effects of WKYMVm (Trp-Lys-Tyr-Met-Val-D-Met-NH2), a synthetic peptide agonist of formyl peptide receptor 2, on cutaneous wounds in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Topical application of WKYMVm onto cutaneous wounds stimulated formation of von Willebrand factor-positive capillary and α-smooth muscle actin-positive arteriole with a maximal stimulation on day 6, suggesting WKYMVm-stimulated angiogenesis. Infiltration of immune cells could be detected on early phase during wound healing and WKYMVm treatment acutely augmented infiltration of CD68-positive macrophages. In addition, reepithelialization and granulation tissue formation were accelerated by treatment with WKYMVm. These results suggest that WKYMVm has therapeutic effects on diabetic wounds by stimulating angiogenesis and infiltration of immune cells.
Insights
This study shows that the synthetic peptide WKYMVm effectively treats diabetic wounds. WKYMVm promotes healing by boosting blood vessel growth (angiogenesis) and immune cell activity.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical research
- Wound healing studies
- Diabetic complications
Background:
- Diabetic wounds affect 15% of diabetics globally, necessitating new treatments.
- Wound healing involves inflammation, epithelialization, neoangiogenesis, and granulation.
- Formyl peptide receptor 2 agonists can stimulate angiogenesis, crucial for tissue repair.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the therapeutic potential of WKYMVm, a synthetic peptide formyl peptide receptor 2 agonist.
- To evaluate WKYMVm's effects on cutaneous wound healing in diabetic rats.
Main Methods:
- Utilized streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats with cutaneous wounds.
- Topically applied WKYMVm to wounds.
- Assessed angiogenesis markers (von Willebrand factor, α-smooth muscle actin) and immune cell infiltration (CD68-positive macrophages).
- Monitored reepithelialization and granulation tissue formation.
Main Results:
- WKYMVm application stimulated angiogenesis, evidenced by increased capillary and arteriole formation.
- Maximal stimulation of angiogenesis was observed on day 6 post-treatment.
- WKYMVm treatment enhanced the infiltration of CD68-positive macrophages.
- Accelerated reepithelialization and granulation tissue formation were observed.
Conclusions:
- WKYMVm demonstrates therapeutic efficacy for diabetic wounds.
- The peptide promotes healing by stimulating angiogenesis and immune cell infiltration.
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