uPA dependent and independent mechanisms of wound healing by C-phycocyanin

J Cell Mol Med. 2008 Dec;12(6B):2691-703. doi: 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2008.00272.x. Epub 2008 Feb 8.

Abstract

Wound repair requires both recruitment and well co-ordinated actions of many cell types including inflammatory cells, endothelial cells, epithelial cells and importantly fibroblast cells. Urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) system plays a vital role in wound healing phenomenon. We have previously demonstrated that C-phycocyanin (C-pc), a biliprotein from blue-green algae, transcriptionally regulates uPA through cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) pathway. To date, a role for C-pc in wound-healing scenario is not elucidated. This study was designed to examine the wound-healing property of C-pc in relation to fibroblast proliferation and migration. C-pc increased fibroblast proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. It also enhanced G1 phase of cell cycle and increased the expressions of cyclin-dependent kinases 1 and 2, which facilitate cell cycle progression, in a uPA-independent manner. In vitro wound healing and migration assays revealed the pro-migratory properties of C-pc. Short-interference RNA studies demonstrated that uPA was necessary for C-pc-induced fibroblast migration. C-pc also significantly elevated the expressions of chemokines (MDC, RANTES, Eotaxin, GRO alpha, ENA78 and TARC) and Rho-GTPases (Cdc 42 and Rac 1) in a uPA-dependent manner. Pre-treatment of C-pc-stimulated cells with pharmacological inhibitor of PI-3K (LY294002) annulled the expression of GTPases implying that Rac 1 and Cdc 42 were induced through PI-3K pathway. C-pc-induced cellular migration towards wounded area was also negatively affected by PI-3K inhibition. In vivo wound-healing experiments in mice validated our finding that C-pc accelerates wound healing. Our data provides conclusive evidence of a novel therapeutic usage for C-pc as a wound-healing agent. C-pc is a food and drug administration (FDA)-approved health supplement. We believe this compound can also be beneficial in healing of internal wounds, such as ulcers.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Cycle / drug effects
  • Cell Death / drug effects
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Chemokines / metabolism
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinases / metabolism
  • Dermis / drug effects
  • Dermis / pathology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Fibroblasts / drug effects
  • Fibroblasts / enzymology
  • Fibroblasts / pathology
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Models, Biological
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / metabolism
  • Phycocyanin / pharmacology*
  • Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator / metabolism*
  • Wound Healing / drug effects*
  • cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein / metabolism
  • rac1 GTP-Binding Protein / metabolism

Substances

  • Chemokines
  • Phycocyanin
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinases
  • Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator
  • cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein
  • rac1 GTP-Binding Protein