IL-33 improves wound healing through enhanced M2 macrophage polarization in diabetic mice

IL-33 is a newly discovered member of the IL-1 family and has been identified as a potent inducer of Th2 type immunity. Emerging evidence imply that IL-33 may also act as an alarm to alert the immune system when released by epithelial barrier tissues during trauma or infection. In this study, we further investigate the potential efficacy of IL-33 on dermal wound healing in streptozotocin induced diabetic mice. A full-thickness skin wound was generated on the back of diabetic mice and treated with IL-33 or vehicle topically. Our data showed that IL-33 delivery contributed to diabetic wound closure with wounds gaping narrower and exhibiting elevated re-epithelialization. IL-33 promoted the new extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and angiogenesis formation, which indicates an important role of IL-33 on matrix synthesis and neovascularization. Meanwhile, IL-33 accelerated the development of M2 macrophages in wound sites in vivo, and amplified IL-13-induced polarization of bone marrow-derived macrophages toward a M2 phenotype in vitro. Furthermore, IL-33-amplified M2 macrophages augmented the proliferation of fibroblasts and ECM deposition. All together, these results strongly suggest manipulation of IL-33-mediated signal might be a potential therapeutic approach for diabetic skin wounds.