Enhanced neovascularization of dermis substitutes via low-pressure plasma-mediated surface activation

Purpose The effect of cold low pressure plasma treatment on neovascularizaton of a dermis substitute was evaluated in a mouse model Material and methods Collagen elastin matrices (Matriderm (R)) were used as scaffolds Low pressure argon/hydrogene plasma treated scaffolds were transplanted into the dorsal skinfold chambers of balb/c mice (group 1 n = 10) Untreated scaffolds served as controls (group 2 n = 10) Intravital fluorescence microscopy was performed within the border zone of the scaffolds on days 1 5 and 10 Functional vessel density (FVD) vessel diameter intervascular distance microvascular permeability and leukocyte endothelium interaction were analyzed Results An increase of FVD associated with a reduction of the intervascular distance was observed Statistical analysis revealed that the functional vessel density in the border zone of the scaffolds was significantly enhanced in the plasma treated group compared to controls For group 1 an increase of FVD from 282 +/- 8 cm/cm(2) on days 5 to 315 +/- 8 cm/cm(2) on day 10 was observed Whereas values of 254 +/- 7 cm/cm(2) on day 5 and 275 +/- 13 cm/cm(2) on day 10 have resulted in group 2 (mean +/- S E M Student s t test p < 0 05) Conclusion The surface treatment by cold low pressure plasma intensifies the angiogenesis and accelerates the neovascularization of collagen elastin matrix (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI All rights reserved