ISSN:
1524-475X
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Background: Apligraf, a bioengineered living skin construct, has been shown to accelerate the healing of chronic venous leg and diabetic foot ulcerations. However, to date the mechanism of action of Apligraf in the wound healing process is not well understood. Objective: The primary objective of this study was to determine the levels of expression of selected wound healing related genes in venous leg ulcers treated with Apligraf in comparison to ulcers treated with standard multi-layer compression therapy alone. Gene chip technology was employed. Methods: Three patients were randomized into the Apligraf or standard treatment arms. A baseline 6 mm punch biopsy was obtained prior to the initial application of Apligraf or multi-layer compression therapy. A second biopsy was obtained depending on the randomly chosen biopsy schedule (weeks 1, 2 or 4 following Apligraf application or initiation of compression). The biopsy specimens were snap frozen and later analyzed using microarray gene chip technology. Results: The patients treated with Apligraf demonstrated an up-regulation of the genes thought to be important in the wound healing process. Conclusion: The results from this pilot study suggest that Apligraf may function by an up-regulation of the genes involved in wound healing as opposed to compression therapy which works primarily in a mechanical fashion. Based on these results further study is needed.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1067-1927.2004.0abstractem.x
