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Maggots and wound healing: an investigation of the effects of secretions from Lucilia sericata larvae upon the migration of human dermal fibroblasts over a fibronectin‐coated surface
Author(s) -
Horobin Adele J.,
Shakesheff Kevin M.,
Pritchard David I.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
wound repair and regeneration
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.847
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1524-475X
pISSN - 1067-1927
DOI - 10.1111/j.1067-1927.2005.130410.x
Subject(s) - fibronectin , fibroblast , extracellular matrix , granulation tissue , wound healing , maggot , microbiology and biotechnology , cell migration , biology , biochemistry , chemistry , in vitro , immunology , botany
Lucilia sericata larvae, or greenbottle fly maggots, placed within chronic wounds have been observed to remove necrotic tissue and infection. They are also believed to actively promote granulation tissue formation. Interactions between fibroblasts and the surrounding extracellular matrix play a crucial role in tissue formation, influencing fibroblast proliferation, migration, and tissue remodeling. For example, the strength of cell adhesion to surfaces coated with extracellular matrix influences cell motility. L. sericata larval excretory/secretory products having previously been shown to modify fibroblast adhesion to collagen and particularly fibronectin, it was hypothesized that these products would alter fibroblast migration. This was investigated using a two‐dimensional in vitro wound assay, time‐lapse digital photography, enzyme class‐specific substrates and inhibitors, and gel electrophoresis. Results showed that L. sericata excretory/secretory products promoted fibroblast migration upon a fibronectin‐coated surface. This was related to the degradation of fibronectin by serine proteinases within maggot excretion/secretions. The presence of a metalloproteinase activity may also have played a role. Thus, a possible mechanism by which maggots enhance tissue formation within wounds may be via the promotion of fibroblast motility, providing for a wider distribution of viable fibroblasts.