Increases in acid proteinase activity during epidermal wound healing

Incised wounds were made on the backs of young guinea pigs at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 10 day intervals. Hemoglobin-hydrolizing acid proteinase activity was measured fluorometrically under optimal assay conditions by means of microanalytical methods. Acid proteinase activity was increased two to three times normal during epithelial migration and maturation during wound healing: no gradient of enzyme activity was found from the wound margin to the tip of the migrating epithelium. The results suggest that acid proteinase promotes epithelial migration by proteolytic action on serum protein and fibrin in wounds. It is also suggested that acid proteinase is required during epithelial maturation and differentiation.