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Role of Proopiomelanocortin in Wound Healing
S Santra, A Das, CK Sen, S Roy
Post Doctoral Training
2019-02-15
Presenter: Suman Santra
Affidavit:
Suman Santra
Director Name: Sashwati Roy
Author Category: Other Specialty Resident
Presentation Category: Basic Science Research
Abstract Category: Aesthetics
Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) is a precursor polypeptide that is cleaved to form several regulatory hormones for the body. Hormones that are produced as a result of the cleavage of POMC include β-endorphin, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and α-MSH. POMC has role in energy maintenance and production of adrenal hormones. Our lab has published data indicating that wound fluid contains factors that can significantly increase the production of POMC. TNF-α is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that has the ability to increase the expression CD177 in neutrophils. We have shown that this subset of PMN display high expression of POMC at site of injury. We tested the significance of POMC in cutaneous wound healing. Wound fluid was collected from human subjects, which showed a significant increase in POMC mRNA expression compared to the plasma control. The number of CD177 positive PMN peaked 6-48h post-surgery. Mice having heterozygous deletion of POMC were used for the study. Knockdown of POMC was confirmed in the heterozygous mice compared to wild-type mice. Full-thickness splinted excisional wounds were developed on the back of mice. Wound closure was significantly impaired (p<0.05;n=5) in POMC+/- mice compared to wild-type (POMC+/+). Such impairment was associated with increased production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL1β and TNF-α (p<0.05,n=4), which in turn attenuated wound angiogenesis in POMC+/- mice. This work provides evidence at wound-site, POMC plays a significant role in resolving wound inflammation favoring wound angiogenesis and improved healing outcomes. Further studies are needed to understand the regulatory pathway POMC proceeds through and its role in wound environment.
