Wound healing modulation by a latex protein-containing polyvinyl alcohol biomembrane

In a previous study, we performed the chemical characterization of a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) membrane supplemented with latex proteins (LP) displaying wound healing activity, and its efficacy as a delivery system was demonstrated. Here, we report on aspects of the mechanism underlying the performance of the PVA-latex protein biomembrane on wound healing. LP-PVA, but not PVA, induced more intense leukocyte (neutrophil) migration and mast cell degranulation during the inflammatory phase of the cicatricial process. Likewise, LP-PVA induced an increase in key markers and mediators of the inflammatory response (myeloperoxidase activity, nitric oxide, TNF, and IL-1β). These results demonstrated that LP-PVA significantly accelerates the early phase of the inflammatory process by upregulating cytokine release. This remarkable effect improves the subsequent phases of the healing process. The polyvinyl alcohol membrane was fully absorbed as an inert support while LP was shown to be active. It is therefore concluded that the LP-PVA is a suitable bioresource for biomedical engineering.