Integrin-mediated adhesive properties of neutrophils are reduced by hyperbaric oxygen therapy in patients with chronic non-healing wound

In recent years, several studies suggested that the ability of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to promote healing in patients with diabetic ulcers and chronic wounds is due to the reduction of inflammatory cytokines and to a significant decrease in neutrophils recruitment to the damaged area. α(4) and β(2) integrins are receptors mediating the neutrophil adhesion to the endothelium and the comprehension of the effects of hyperbaric oxygenation on their expression and functions in neutrophils could be of great importance for the design of novel therapeutic protocols focused on anti-inflammatory agents. In this study, the α(4) and β(2) integrins’ expression and functions have been evaluated in human primary neutrophils obtained from patients with chronic non-healing wounds and undergoing a prolonged HBOT (150 kPa per 90 minutes). The effect of a peptidomimetic α(4)β(1) integrin antagonist has been also analyzed under these conditions. A statistically significant decrease (68%) in β(2) integrin expression on neutrophils was observed during the treatment with HBO and maintained one month after the last treatment, while α(4) integrin levels remained unchanged. However, cell adhesion function of both neutrophilic integrins α(4)β(1) and β(2) was significantly reduced 70 and 67%, respectively), but α(4)β(1) integrin was still sensitive to antagonist inhibition in the presence of fibronectin, suggesting that a combined therapy between HBOT and integrin antagonists could have greater antinflammatory efficacy.