Extracellular matrix and cellular senescence in venous leg ulcers

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Dermatology
• Wound Healing Research

Background:

• Non-healing chronic wounds present a significant global healthcare challenge.
• Identifying wound healing potential often requires invasive tissue biopsies.
• Senescent cell accumulation (≥15%) at wound edges predicts poor healing outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between collagen levels and senescent cell presence in chronic wounds.
• To explore non-invasive methods for assessing wound healing trajectory.
• To identify potential biomarkers for predicting chronic wound healing.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of collagen area in chronic wound edges (venous leg ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, pressure ulcers).
• Correlation assessment between collagen levels and senescent cell counts.
• Utilized handheld multiphoton microscopy for second harmonic imaging of collagen.

Main Results:

• A strong inverse correlation was observed between decreased collagen area and increased senescent cells in chronic wounds.
• Lowest collagen levels were associated with younger venous leg ulcer patients (<60 years) with long-standing wounds (>24 months).
• Elevated senescent cells were also noted in male venous leg ulcer patients.

Conclusions:

• Collagen imaging can serve as a non-invasive surrogate marker for senescent cell presence in chronic wounds.
• Multiphoton imaging of collagen offers a faster method for assessing wound healing trajectory.
• This approach supports improved clinical assessment and management of non-healing chronic wounds.