Summary
Recently it was demonstrated by Gautam, et al. that release of neutrophil-borne heparin-binding
protein (HBP), also known as CAP37/azurocidin, induced endothelial hyperpermeability
and neutrophil efflux. Here, we show that chronic leg ulcer fluid, in contrast to
wound fluid from acute wounds, contains highly increased levels of HBP. Immunohistochemistry
demonstrated the presence of HBP in chronic ulcer tissues. Furthermore, secreted products
of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were found to induce release of HBP from human neutrophils. Our data suggest a possible
link between bacterial presence and HBPrelease in chronic ulcers.Thus, targeting HBP
offers an interesting option for reduction of endothelial barrier dysfunction in chronic
ulcers.
Keywords
Wound healing - inflammation - skin - blood - aprotinin