Altered in vitro activity of human fibroblasts isolated from type 1 diabetic

In this study we compared the in vitro migration and adhesion of dermal fibroblasts derived from Type 1 diabetic individuals with dermal fibroblasts from genetically matched non diabetic controls. These processes are critical for the normal functioning of fibroblasts in the wound healing response. Preliminary studies on migration were performed using a scrape wound model. Visible differences in migration were observed between diabetic and non diabetic fibroblasts at different time points over a 24 hour period. We quantified the migration by means of a cloning ring assay. The results from this assay supported our initial observations in the scrape wound model. After a 72 hour time period fibroblasts from Type 1 diabetic individuals had significantly lower migration areas (∼38 sq mm) as compared to fibroblasts from non diabetic individuals(∼62 sq mm) on both non coated and collagen coated plates. Adhesion of diabetic and non diabetic fibroblasts to the collagen coated plates was compared by measuring the DNA concentration by florescence. Although after a 2 hour period there was no significant difference adhesion of diabetic and non diabetic fibroblasts, there seemed to be significant differences in the adhesion after 30 minutes. Since integrins mediate these adhesive linkages with the ECM we performed a flow cytometric analysis to characterize the integrins on the surfaces of diabetic and non diabetic fibroblasts. These results showed that there are no differences in the number of the ss 1 sub-units of the integrins on the surfaces of the fibroblasts. (Abstract shortened by UMI.).