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Updated: Aug 19, 2025
Assessment of Acute Wound Healing using the Dorsal Subcutaneous Polyvinyl Alcohol Sponge Implantation and Excisional Tail Skin Wound Models.
Published on: March 25, 2020
Impaired healing of cutaneous wound in a Trpv1 deficient mouse
Kazuki Ueno1, Shizuya Saika2, Yuka Okada2
1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Wakayama Medical University, 811-1 Kimiidera, Wakayama 641-8509, Japan.
Abstract:
Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) ion channels mediate the influx of cations into cells responding to chemical or physical stimuli. TRP vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) regulates cutaneous functions. Its function in cutaneous wound healing, however, has not been clarified. The current study elucidated the role of TRPV1 in cutaneous wound healing of dorsal circular excisional injury using Trpv1-null (KO) and wild type (WT) male/female C57BL/6 mice. Macroscopic observation showed that the remaining cutaneous lesion was significantly larger in KO than that of WT at postoperative days (POD) 7 and 10. Histological analysis showed significantly delayed re-epithelialization in KO at POD7. The number of macrophages in KO and WT similarly returned to the reduced state from POD4 to POD7. Whereas, the number of neutrophils in KO did not significantly return to the reduced state, in contrast to WT. Of note, The H3Cit-labeled NETs (Neutrophil Extracellular Traps) formation of KO was prominently increased both in POD4 and 7. The current results suggest that the loss of TRPV1 induces prolonged neutrophilic inflammation and NETs formation, retarding murine cutaneous wound healing in vivo. This study provides a possible link with TRPV1 and neutrophilic regulation in cutaneous wound healing.
Insights
Transient Receptor Potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) loss impairs skin wound healing by prolonging neutrophilic inflammation and Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) formation. This suggests TRPV1 plays a key role in regulating immune responses during cutaneous repair.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Dermatology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) ion channels, including TRP vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), are involved in cellular responses to stimuli.
- TRPV1's role in skin function is known, but its specific involvement in cutaneous wound healing remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the function of TRPV1 in cutaneous wound healing.
- To elucidate the mechanisms underlying TRPV1's influence on skin repair processes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Trpv1-null (KO) and wild-type (WT) C57BL/6 mice to create dorsal circular excisional injuries.
- Performed macroscopic and histological analyses to assess wound closure, re-epithelialization, and immune cell infiltration.
- Quantified neutrophil and macrophage populations, as well as Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) formation.
Main Results:
- Cutaneous lesions were significantly larger in KO mice compared to WT mice at postoperative days 7 and 10.
- KO mice exhibited delayed re-epithelialization at postoperative day 7.
- KO mice showed sustained neutrophil levels and increased NETs formation, unlike WT mice, indicating prolonged neutrophilic inflammation.
Conclusions:
- Loss of TRPV1 exacerbates cutaneous wound healing defects in mice.
- TRPV1 appears to regulate neutrophilic inflammation and NETs formation, impacting skin repair.
- This study highlights a novel link between TRPV1 and the control of neutrophilic responses in wound healing.
