The effect of a simulated diabetic wound environment on keratinocyte migration

Chronic wounds, such as foot ulcers, are a common complication of diabetes. The environment in such wounds is a major factor in the failure of cellular processes that normally repair damaged skin to form a scar. It has been suggested that mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) may be used to promote the healing of chronic wounds. However, it is not known whether MSCs will be effective in the diabetic environment. This study aimed to set up an in vitro system to investigate the effect of MSCs on keratinocyte migration under a simulated diabetic wound environment, including hypoxia (1% O₂ in the gas phase), infection (emulated by 1μg/ml bacterial endotoxin), and high glucose (25mM) medium. Because serum interferes with MSC-derived products, the effect of serum concentration of keratinocyte proliferation was investigated, and it was found that 1% v/v serum could be used with no adverse effects on keratinocyte proliferation. Keratinocytes were then grown to confluence, and a scratch was used to create a model wound. The effect of these diabetic conditions in conjunction with MSC-derived products on keratinocyte migration in the scratch assay is being measured.