ABSTRACT
Understanding the molecular and cellular processes in skin wound healing can pave the way for devising innovative concepts by turning the identified natural effectors into therapeutic tools. Based on the concept of broadscale engagement of members of the family of galactosidebinding lectins (galectins) in pathophysiological processes, such as cancer or tissue repair/regeneration, the present study investigated the potential of galectins1 (Gal1) and 3 (Gal3) in wound healing. Human dermal fibroblasts, which are key cells involved in skin wound healing, responded to galectin exposure (Gal1 at 300 or Gal3 at 600 ng/ml) with selective changes in gene expression among a panel of 84 woundhealingrelated genes, as well as remodeling of the extracellular matrix. In the case of Gal3, positive expression of Ki67 and cell number increased when using a decellularized matrix produced by Gal3treated fibroblasts as substrate for culture of interfollicular keratinocytes. In vivo wounds were topically treated with 20 ng/ml Gal1 or 3, and collagen score was found to be elevated in excisional wound repair in rats treated with Gal3. The tensile strength measured in incisions was significantly increased from 79.5±17.5 g/mm2 in controls to 103.1±21.4 g/mm2 after 21 days of healing. These data warrant further testing mixtures of galectins and other types of compounds, for example a combination of galectins and TGFß1.