USING HYALURONIC-ACID TO CREATE A FETAL-LIKE ENVIRONMENT IN-VITRO

The fetal wound healing matrix is exceptionally rich in hyaluronic aci d (HA). Fetal wounds heal without scarring or contraction. Noting thes e observations, we cultured adult dermal explants in the presence of v arious concentrations of medical-grade HA in vitro. In the presence of HA, fibroblasts migrated from the dermal explant and multiplied more rapidly than control explants. Subsequently, sterile toothpicks were u sed to disrupt (wound) fibroblast monolayers mechanically and the rate of closure was monitored. Cells cultivated in the presence of 5 mg/ml of exogenous HA changed in morphology and closed the wound more quick ly than control cultures. Cells surrounding the wound extended numerou s podalic processes and showed increased interdigitation. The effect o f HA on cell proliferation is usually discussed in terms of the mechan ical effects HA exerts on cells and the extracellular matrix. The phys iological effect of HA may lie in its ability to act as an accessory r eceptor in cooperative ligand-binding pathways. For example, HA may bi nd growth and/or other factors, and thereby increase the effective con centration of these factors at the cell surface.