In diabetes, the wound-healing process is severely impaired - persistent chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, poorer perfusion and hypoxia cause wounds (such as diabetic foot ulcers) to remain stuck in the inflammatory phase and can lead to complications, including amputation.
A key component of the research is the analysis of the role of cytokeratins 16 and 17, which serve as as indicators of the initiation of the epidermal regeneration program. The study includes both laboratory tests on cell cultures and advanced animal models.
The study offers the potential to develop effective and biodegradable dressings in the future, but above all, it aims to provide a better understanding of the molecular causes of difficult wound healing.
The research is being conducted as part of the project “The role of cytokeratins 16 and 17 in wound healing in diabetic rats – research into molecular mechanisms using keratin-sericin biomaterial”, which received 3,950,734.00 PLN in funding from National Science Center for implementation.