A novel exopolysaccharide from marine bacterium Pantoea sp. YU16-S3 accelerates cutaneous wound healing through Wnt/β-catenin pathway

Abstract Natural polysaccharides with versatile properties are the potential candidates for wound healing applications. In this study, an exopolysaccharide, EPS-S3, isolated from marine bacteria Pantoea sp. YU16-S3 was evaluated for its wound-healing abilities by studying the key molecular mechanisms in vitro and in vivo. Basic characterisation showed EPS-S3 as heteropolysaccharide with glucose, galactose, N-acetyl galactosamine and glucosamine. The molecular weight of EPS-S3 was estimated to be 1.75 × 105 Da. It showed thermal stability up to 200 °C and shear-thickening non-Newtonian behaviour. It was biocompatible with dermal fibroblasts and keratinocytes and showed cell adhesion and cell proliferation properties. EPS-S3 facilitated cell migration in fibroblasts, induced rapid transition of cell cycle phases and also activated macrophages. In vivo experiments in rats showed the re-epithelialization of injured tissue with increased expression of HB-EGF, FGF, E-cadherin and β-catenin in EPS-S3 treatment. The results indicate that EPS-S3 modulates healing process through Wnt/β-catenin pathway due to its unique characteristics. In conclusion, EPS-S3 biosynthesized by the marine bacterium is a potential biomolecule for cutaneous wound healing applications.