Pro-inflammatory ‘M1 macrophage’ vs anti-inflammatory ‘Hydrocortisone’ a new approach to wound healing in HaCaT cells

Abstract

Background and Aims: Wound healing is a process of repairing the skin that has lost its integrity through inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. Macrophages exhibit adaptability, transitioning from a pro-inflammatory "M1" to an anti-inflammatory "M2" phenotype throughout wound healing for optimal outcomes. Hydrocortisone’s M2c polarization makes it a key agent for balancing M1/M2 polarization. In this study, we specifically explored the effects of M1 macrophages and hydrocortisone on cell migration and wound healing in HaCaT keratinocytes. Methods: To better understand how macrophages contribute to wound healing, we created a co-culture scratch assay model of HaCaT cells using M1-polarized macrophages derived from THP-1 cells. In addition, we administered hydrocortisone, ‘an anti-inflammatory drug’, to our experimental groups to compare the effects. We determined the proliferation effects of different concentrations of hydrocortisone and PMA on HaCaT cells. Then, we evaluated the effects of polarized M1 macrophages and hydrocortisone on the wound healing of HaCaT cells by scratch assay and COL1A1 mRNA gene expression levels. Results: As a result, it was determined that 100 μM hydrocortisone increased HaCaT cell migration and COL1A1 mRNA gene expression compared to control, while M1 polarized macrophages decreased these effects negatively. Conclusion: To understand the macrophages responsible for the mechanisms of wound healing, much more study is required. Macrophages are a vital component in the healing process for wounds, and the shifting of M1/M2 in the treatment of wounds can potentially lead to the enlargement of novel treatment methods.

Keywords

• HaCaT
• hydrocortisone
• macrophage
• wound healing

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