Activation of the δ-opioid receptor promotes cutaneous wound healing by affecting keratinocyte intercellular adhesion and migration.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

In addition to its analgesic functions, the peripheral opioid receptor system affects skin homeostasis by influencing cell differentiation, migration and adhesion; also, wound healing is altered in δ-opioid receptor knockout mice (DOPr(-/-) ). Hence, we investigated δ-opioid receptor effects on the expression of several proteins of the desmosomal junction complex and on the migratory behaviour of keratinocytes.

Experimental approach

Expression levels of desmosomal cadherins in wild-type and DOPr(-/-) mice, and the morphology of intercellular adhesion in human keratinocytes were analysed by immunofluorescence. To investigate the δ-opioid receptor activation pathway, protein expression was studied using Western blot and its effect on cellular migration d

SUBMITTER: Bigliardi PL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4292964 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature