Potential of wound dressing composed of hyaluronic acid containing epidermal growth factor to enhance cytokine production by fibroblasts

This study aimed to investigate the potential of a wound dressing composed of hyaluronic acid (HA) containing epidermal growth factor (EGF) to enhance cytokine production by fibroblasts. The present wound dressing has a two-layered spongy structure: an upper layer composed of crosslinked high-molecular-weight HA, and a lower layer composed of low-molecular-weight HA containing arginine (Arg) and vitamin C derivative (VC) with or without EGF. Human fibroblast-embedded collagen gel sheet (cultured dermal substitute: CDS) was elevated to the interface between the air and culture medium to create a wound surface model onto which each wound dressing was placed, which was followed by culture for 7 days. The EGF dressing (with EGF, Arg, VC) significantly enhanced the production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) by CDS as compared to the EGF-free dressing (with Arg, VC). To evaluate if this enhanced production of VEGF and HGF achieved with the EGF dressing is sustained, a second experiment was conducted using a wound surface model. Each wound dressing was placed on the CDS in the wound surface model. Culture was then performed for 3 days (first period), after which each dressing was placed on another CDS for a further 3-day culture period (second period). The EGF dressing enhanced the production of VEGF and HGF by CDS during the first and second periods as compared to the corresponding production when using the EGF-free dressing. These results suggest that EGF can be maintained in the hydrated layer of a wound dressing composed of crosslinked high-molecular-weight HA.