Immunomodulatory Potential of a Composite Amniotic Membrane Hydrogel for Wound Healing: Effects on Macrophage Cytokine Secretion
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Amniotic membrane has been widely utilized and studied as a tissue-engineered material for decellularized bioscaffolds to promote skin wound healing. However, human acellular amniotic membrane (HAAM) has limitations, such as poor mechanical properties, rapid degradation, and challenges in handling and use. In this study, VEGF-loaded GG-HA hydrogels were combined with DAPT-loaded decellularized biological amniotic membrane to develop novel amniotic membrane-derived materials (VEGF-GG-HA & DAPT-HAAM). Furthermore, in vitro experiments were conducted using THP-1 cells (Tohoku Hospital Pediatrics-1 cell line) to assess the immunomodulatory effects of these amniotic membrane-derived materials on macrophages and inflammatory factors. The experimental groups included DAPT-HAAM, VEGF-GG-HA, and VEGF-GG-HA & DAPT-HAAM. Following THP-1 cell culture, the biocompatibility of the new grafts, along with the levels of cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases, were evaluated using CCK-8 assays, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), quantitative real-time PCR, Western blot analysis, and immunohistochemical staining. The results demonstrated that the novel grafts (VEGF-GG-HA & DAPT-HAAM) exhibited good biocompatibility and promoted the secretion of IL-10, TNF-α, TGF-β, MMP1, and MMP3, while suppressing excessive TGF-β overexpression. Overall, these new grafts showed enhanced performance in promoting monocyte proliferation, regulating cytokine secretion, and modulating protein expression. Additionally, they induced the transition from M1-type macrophages to anti-inflammatory M2-type macrophages, facilitated vascular remodeling of peri-wound tissues, improved the inflammatory environment, reduced fibrous proliferation, and prevented scar formation, ultimately accelerating wound healing.
Source: Biomedicines
Authors: Tao Wang, Zhiyuan Zhu, Wei Hua, Siliang Xue
Institutions: Sichuan University, West China Hospital of Sichuan University
Language: English
Topic: Wound Healing and Treatments
Subfield: Rehabilitation
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,137
OpenAlex ID: W4415400769