Electrical stimulation promotes the wound‐healing properties of diabetic human skin fibroblasts

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of low (20 and 40 mV/mm) intensities of electrical stimulation on the proliferation and migration of skin fibroblasts from diabetic donors.We also examined the effect of electrical stimulation on modulating the capacity of fibroblasts to contract collagen gel, express alpha-smooth muscle actin, and secrete proteolytic enzymes involved in regulating extracellular matrix synthesis and degradation. Our study shows that 20 and 40 mV/mm of stimulation increased the growth of fibroblasts extracted from diabetic patients but not from non-diabetic donors. Electrical stimulation increased the migration of diabetic fibroblasts, their capacity to contract collagen gel, and the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin and promoted different proteolytic enzymes involved in accelerating wound healing.Overall results confirm the effectiveness of electrical stimulation in modulating the wound healing activities of fibroblasts extracted from diabetic skin donors. This study, therefore, suggests the possible use of electrical stimulation to promote diabetic foot ulcer healing by stimulating the wound healing properties of skin fibroblasts.

Flexible Organic Photovoltaic‐Powered Hydrogel Bioelectronic Dressing With Biomimetic Electrical Stimulation for Healing Infected Diabetic Wounds

“…ES has been shown to increase the growth, migration, and extracellular matrix synthesis of fibroblasts derived from diabetic patients. [ 60 ] The combination of ES with wearable devices [ 25 ] or biodegradable, electroactive hydrogels [ 61 ] has yielded promising results in regulating skin cell behaviors and accelerating the wound healing process. Herein, the PMH dressing integrates the advantages of wearable devices and electroactive hydrogels.…”

GLI family zinc finger protein 2 promotes skin fibroblast proliferation and DNA damage repair by targeting the miR‐200/ataxia telangiectasia mutated axis in diabetic wound healing

“…In wound healing, the proliferation, migration, and differentiation of skin fibroblasts exert vital effects on the neovascularization and wound closure of DFU recovery. 23 Hyperglycemia always induces skin fibroblast damage, delaying wound healing. Under high-glucose conditions, skin fibroblasts typically suffer from oxidative stress and ensuing DNA damage.…”

“…Foot skin wound healing plays a crucial role in the progression of DFU, and poor wound healing can contribute to its further deterioration. In wound healing, the proliferation, migration, and differentiation of skin fibroblasts exert vital effects on the neovascularization and wound closure of DFU recovery 23 . Hyperglycemia always induces skin fibroblast damage, delaying wound healing.…”

Parting the cellular sea: electrotaxis evoked directional separation of co-cultured keratinocytes and fibroblasts

“…49 A better understanding of the underlying cellular mechanisms involved in electrotaxis, as well as technical solutions that allow translation from in vitro testing to in vivo applications, are required to develop successful clinically validated wound therapy based on direct current stimulation. [50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59] This study discusses two devices and electrodes designed to facilitate electrotaxis experimentation. Both devices have advantages and drawbacks and can be leveraged based on the desired purpose.…”