Thromb Haemost 2004; 92(02): 288-297
DOI: 10.1160/TH03-07-0446
Theme Issue Article
Schattauer GmbH

Aberrant mucosal wound repair in the absence of secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor

Nikola Angelov*
1   Oral Infection and Immunity Branch, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
,
Niki Moutsopoulos*
1   Oral Infection and Immunity Branch, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
,
Moon-Jin Jeong
2   Current address: Department of Oral Histology, College of Dentistry, Chosun University, Gwang-ju, Korea
,
Salvador Nares
1   Oral Infection and Immunity Branch, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
,
Gillian Ashcroft
3   Current address: School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, England
,
Sharon M. Wahl
1   Oral Infection and Immunity Branch, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 09 July 2003

Accepted after resubmission 07 February 2003

Publication Date:
30 November 2017 (online)

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Summary

Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) is a cationic serine protease inhibitor with anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties found in large quantities in mucosal fluids, including saliva. SLPI is expressed during cutaneous wound healing, however, its role in oral wound repair is unknown. We have used a novel approach involving a murine buccal mucosal acute wound model to investigate the role of SLPI in oral healing. In parallel to the observed cutaneous healing phenotype, an absence of SLPI results in markedly impaired oral wound healing associated with increased inflammation and raised elastase activity. Moreover, matrix deposition was decreased, while MMP activity was enhanced in the oral SLPI null wounds suggesting deregulated proteolysis. Intriguingly, regardless of genotype, reduced collagen deposition was observed in oral compared to dermal wounds, associated with reduced TGF-β expression and decreased fibroblast collagen expression in vitro. We propose that SLPI is a pivotal endogenous factor necessary for optimal tissue repair including intra-oral wound healing. In addition, our model provides a unique opportunity to delineate the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the differences between dermal scarring and oral scar-free healing.

* N. Angelov and N. Moutsopoulos contributed equally to this work.