Studies of Growth Factor and Matrix Proteinase Activities During Early Stages of Wound Healing

The hydrocolloid dressing (HCD) DuoDERM™ (ConvaTec, Bristol-Myers Squibb) has been shown to promote the dissolution of eschar at the wound surface and promote angiogenesis in granulation tissue [1]. Wounds dressed with HCD are characterized by the accumulation of wound fluid which has been shown to contain growth factor activities and factors that stimulate fibroblast urokinase production [2]. Urokinase-type (uPA) and tissue-type (tPA) plasminogen activators (PAs) are proteinase activators and are implicated in the biology of wound healing. Despite the implicated importance of PAs, direct demonstration of PA activities in dermal wound healing, their spatial distribution and temporal relationship with stages of wound healing have not been reported. We have used a recently developed technique to demonstrate PA activities during the healing of HCD-dressed wounds.