TRANSFER OF PLATELET-DERIVED GROWTH FACTOR-BB GENE BY GENE GUN INCREASES CONTRACTION OF COLLAGEN LATTICE BY FIBROBLASTS IN DIABETIC AND NON-DIABETIC HUMAN SKIN

Abstract

We have used an in vitro model of wound contraction, the fibroblast-populated collagen lattice, to examine the effect of platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB) and PDGF-BB gene transfer by gene gun on the contraction of lattices composed of either diabetic or non-diabetic human fibroblasts. The area of collagen lattice and DNA synthesis were measured in 12 specimens. There were significant increases in lattice contraction with increasing doses of PDGF-BB and fibroblasts transfected with the PDGF-BB gene compared with control (p < 0.01). DNA synthesis of the non-diabetic and diabetic fibroblast lattices showed significantly increased incorporation of tritiated thymidine with increasing doses of PDGF-BB and fibroblasts transfected with the PDGF-BB compared with controls (p < 0.05). The effect of PDGFBB gene transfer on diabetic and non-diabetic fibroblasts was similar to that of 20 ng/ml or less of PDGF-BB.

• Gene Transfer Gene Gun Pdgf Fibroblast Diabetes