Transfection with keratinocyte growth factor 1 cDNA with electroporation improves wound healing in an aged mouse model

• Published in: The Journal of surgical research Vol. 121; no. 2; pp. 320 - 321
• Main Authors: Marti, G.P., Makary, M.A., Ferguson, M., Wang, J., Dieb, R., Marti, A.M., Lin, M.P., Bonde, P., Duncan, M., Harmon, J.W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01.10.2004
• ISSN: 0022-4804; 1095-8673
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2004.07.175

Body. Reduced proliferative capacity and response to growth factors have been found in aged animal models. Our aim was to compare cutaneous wound closure in old versus young animals and to see if delivery of KGF-1 could increase healing in the elderly mice. Methods. Four age groups of BALBc mice were used: 6 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years. We assessed closure of 5-mm full-thickness wounds on the backs of 41 mice by calculating wound areas (pixels) using image analysis software based on NIH image (Scion Image, Frederick, MD). We earlier set electroporation (EP) parameters to six 100- ▪s pulses of 1750 V/cm (ECM830, BTX Genetronics, San Diego, CA). We utilized electroporation to increase transfection efficiency of a DNA expression vector for KGF (KGF-1, Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA) using the gWIZ vector controlled by the CMV promoter. Results were presented as means ± SEM. For significance between groups we used Student’s t-test or ANOVA as appropriate. Results. Aging delays wound healing in our animal model. Wound sizes were statistically different without treatment between mice 6 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year ( P < 0.001) as shown by the average wound size calculated in pixels at day 12 (6 weeks: 49.93 ± 26, 6 months: 195.25 ± 52, 1 year: 500.60 ± 140). After treatment with KGF-1+EP the wound sizes between the groups were not statistically different anymore ( P = 0.604). In addition, the wounds of the aged mice treated with KGF-1 + EP closed significantly faster than the untreated wounds (44.23 versus 82.69% of closed wounds at day 12, P < 0.001). Conclusion. Our aged animal model demonstrated delayed wound closure and electroporation assisted delivery of KGF-1 expression vector restored healing at a rate close to that of young animals.