Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell-loaded β-chitin nanofiber hydrogel activates the AldoA/HIF-1α pathway to promote diabetic wound healing
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Updated: Jul 27, 2026
Creation and Transplantation of an Adipose-derived Stem Cell ASC Sheet in a Diabetic Wound-healing Model
Published on: August 4, 2017
Ying Liu1, Ruihang Ma1, Du Juan2
1Emergency Medicine Department of General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Laboratory of Rescue Center of Severe Wound and Trauma PLA Shenyang 110016, Liaoning, China.
Objectives:
To identify the effect of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell-loaded β-chitin nanofiber (ADSC-loaded β-ChNF) hydrogel on diabetic wound healing and clarify its mechanism of action.
Methods:
We prepared the ADSC-loaded β-ChNF hydrogel to repair wounds of db/db diabetic mice. Wound healing rate, histopathology, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and western blot were used to confirm its role and mechanism in promoting diabetic wound healing.
Results:
The ADSC-loaded β-ChNF hydrogel accelerated wound healing in db/db diabetic mice, as indicated by increased cell proliferation, epithelization, and tissue granulation in the skin. Moreover, expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor (VEGFR), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), and TIMP metallopeptidase inhibitor 1 (TIMP1) were upregulated. These results demonstrate the beneficial effects of this ADSC-loaded β-ChNF hydrogel on diabetic wound healing. Furthermore, we show that the ADSC-loaded β-ChNF hydrogel activated aldolase A (AldoA)/hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) signaling. An inhibitor of HIF-1α markedly decreased the promotive effects of the ADSC-loaded β-ChNF hydrogel on wound healing and reduced expression of VEGF, VEGFR, MMP9, and TIMP1.
Conclusions:
Our findings suggest that the ADSC-loaded β-ChNF hydrogel activated the HIF-1α/MMP9 axis through AldoA feedback to promote diabetic wound healing.
