Accelerated Wound Border Closure Using a Microemulsion Containing Non-Inhibitory Recombinant α1-Antitrypsin.

Wound healing requires a non-compromising combination of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory processes. Human α1-antitrypsin (hAAT), a circulating glycoprotein that rises during acute-phase responses and during healthy pregnancies, is tissue-protective and tolerance-inducing; although anti-inflammatory, hAAT enhances revascularization. hAAT blocks tissue-degrading enzymes, including neutrophil elastase; it is, therefore, unclear how wound healing might improve under hAAT-rich conditions. Here, wound healing was examined in the presence of recombinant hAAT (hAATWT) and protease-inhibition-lacking hAAT (hAATCP). The impact of both hAAT forms was determined by an epithelial cell gap closure assay, and by excisional skin injuries via a microemulsion optimized for open wounds. Neutrophilic infiltration was examined after 8 h. According to results, both hAAT forms accelerated epithelial gap closure and excisional wound closure, particularly at early time points. Unlike dexamethasone-treated wounds, both resulted in closed borders at the 8-h time point. In untreated and hAATCP-treated wounds, leukocytic infiltrates were widespread, in hAATWT-treated wounds compartmentalized and in dexamethasone-treated wounds, scarce. Both hAAT forms decreased interleukin-1ß and increased VEGF gene expression. In conclusion hAAT improves epithelial cell migration and outcomes of in vivo wounds irrespective of protease inhibition. While both forms of hAAT allow neutrophils to infiltrate, only native hAAT created discrete neutrophilic tissue clusters.

Toxicity assessment of extracts from infusion sets in cEND brain endothelial cells.

In vitro safety assessment of disposable medical devices, including infusion sets, is usually performed using L-929 mouse keratinocytes. However, cells of different origin (endothelial, lymphoid and myeloid cells) are also exposed to infusion sets' extractables during their clinical use. We studied whether the cEND mouse brain endothelial cells can be suitable for in vitro safety assessment of infusion sets. We analyzed infusion sets from different manufacturers that varied in design and storage time. cEND cells were incubated with extracts of individual parts of the infusion sets (tube, cup, latex), and relative toxicities were analyzed using MTT test, DCFH-DA-based analysis of reactive oxygen species formation, apoptosis and cell cycle analyses. We identified a pattern of yellowing of the infusion sets upon storage and revealed that it originated from the latex part. Extracts of the individual parts of the infusion sets, primarily of the latex, were toxic to the cEND cells leading to induction of apoptosis and cell death. We conclude that infusion sets release extractables that can be toxic to the endothelial cells of the patients that receive infusion. We suggest to use cEND cells for in vitro safety assessment of infusion sets and other medical devices that release extractables to the bloodstream.