Investigating the Impact of Proliferex® on Re-Epithelialization in HCE-T Cell Wound Healing   

Introduction

In the quest to develop advanced wound healing treatments, hydrogels have emerged as promising candidates due to their ability to provide a moist healing environment and potentially accelerate tissue repair. This study aimed to evaluate whether the novel Proliferex® influences the rate of re-epithelialization in a scratch wound model using HCE-T cells, a commonly used corneal epithelial cell line.

Experimental Setup

To assess the effects of Proliferex® on wound healing, a wound model was established using a mono-layer of HCE-T cells. The cells were cultured for three days to achieve a confluent mono-layer, which mimics the intact epithelial layer of the cornea. A linear scratch was carefully introduced into the mono-layer to simulate a wound. Following this, Proliferex® was applied directly onto the scratched area to investigate its impact on the wound healing process.

Monitoring Re-Epithelialization

The re-epithelialization of the wound was closely monitored over a 24-hour period. This process is critical in wound healing as it involves the migration and proliferation of epithelial cells to close the wound gap. The progression of wound closure was documented and compared between the hydrogel-treated group and a control group that did not receive the hydrogel treatment.

Key Findings

• Wound Closure Timing: After 23 hours, all scratch wounds, both in the presence and absence of Proliferex®, were fully closed. This observation indicated that the hydrogel did not delay the wound healing process within the 24-hour window providing a protective covering to promote wound healing.

• Quantification of Wound Closure: To quantitatively analyze wound closure, TScratch software was employed. The results showed no significant difference in the rate of wound closure between the treated and untreated groups. 

Conclusion

The results of this study suggest that Proliferex® does not inhibit re-epithelialization in HCE-T cell scratch wounds and provides an antimicrobial protection during healing. 

References 

Gallagher, A. G., Alorabi, J. A., Wellings, D. A., Lace, R., Horsburgh, M. J., & Williams, R. L. (2016). A Novel Peptide Hydrogel for an Antimicrobial Bandage Contact Lens. Advanced Healthcare Materials, 5(16), 2013–2018.