Growth factors in difficult to heal and chronic wounds are often deficient or damaged. By providing bioactive molecules, extracellular matrix biomaterials can be useful in treating these wounds. One such biomaterial is a naturally derived scaffold consisting of porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS*). SIS* is prepared using a process that preserves the bioactive molecules, such as FGF-2 and heparin, through lyophilization and ethylene oxide sterilization. Previous studies in cultured mouse cells have found that sterilized SIS* stimulates cellular production and secretion of VEGF, which has been shown to have roles in promoting angiogenesis, endothelial cell proliferation, and cell migration. Preclinical and clinical studies demonstrated that treatment with SIS* promoted tissue infiltration, remodeling, and regeneration of the host-specific tissue and increased healing of chronic ulcerative wounds.

The present study examined the ability of sterilized SIS* to stimulate VEGF secretion from human fibroblasts by adding SIS* extracts to the cells. Extracts from chemically-stripped SIS* (SIS* which had the bioactive molecules chemically removed) showed a significantly decreased response in this assay. FGF-2-specific neutralizing antibody also significantly reduced the response to the SIS* extracts.

These results show that the bioactive FGF-2 in SIS* stimulates downstream responses in cultured human cells and likely plays a role in the improved wound healing observed during clinical treatment with SIS*.

*Oasis® Wound Matrix, manufactured by Cook Biotech Incorporated, West Lafayette IN, distributed exclusively by Healthpoint Ltd., Fort Worth TX.