Lipopolysaccharide Derived from Pantoea agglomerans Directly Promotes the Migration of Human Keratinocytes

Because the skin is exposed to the external environment, it is important that wound healing processes proceed and terminate rapidly to minimize the risk of infection. A previous case report described the promotion of wound healing by transdermal administration of lipopolysaccharide derived from Pantoea agglomerans (LPSp). However, whether the wound healing-promoting effect of LPSp was due to direct activity on skin cells or indirect effects involving macrophages remained unclear. Therefore, this study investigated the wound healing-promoting effect of LPSp, particularly the promotion of keratinocyte migration.

The migration of HaCaT human keratinocytes over time with and without LPSp was assayed using a cell migration assay kit. Migration was also analyzed using HaCaT cells treated with LPSp and an antibody against Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4, a receptor for LPS.

Addition of LPSp significantly enhanced cell migration compared to no LPSp addition. Migration was inhibited by the addition of anti-TLR4 antibody.

LPSp acts directly on epidermal cells to promote migration and may be one mechanism by which LPSp promotes wound healing.