Figure 8. PGE₂ mediated induction of OSM and p-Axl in human and mice wound mϕ.

A, PVA sponges containing 20 µl of 0.1 mM PGE₂ (2 nmols/sponge) or ethanol (matching volume, 20 µl) were implanted subcutaneously at the back of mice. Wound mϕ were harvested 3 days post implantation and OSM mRNA expression was determined using qPCR. Data are mean ± SD (n=3) *, p<0.05 compared to control. B, The mϕ from human chronic wounds were isolated and treated with PGE₂ (10 µM, 24h). Controls were treated with matching volume of ethanol. OSM levels in culture media of wound mϕ was measured using ELISA. Data were normalized to total protein levels. Data are mean ± SD (n=3). *, p<0.05 compared to control. C, relative expression of EP receptors in human wound mϕ. mRNA expression of EP receptors was determined using qPCR. Data are mean ±SD (n=4). *, p<0.01 compared to EP2-EP3. D, Human wound mϕ were stained with anti-pAxl antibody (green) and DAPI (blue nucleus). Increased expression of pAxl in wound mϕ treated with PGE₂ (10 µM, 30 min) can be seen. Left: low magnification images; Right: high magnification images of the cell marked in respective left panel. Scale bar = 10 µM. E, Quantification of the fluorescence signal shown in D using Axiovision (Zeiss).