G-CSF enhances resolution of Staphylococcus aureus wound infection in an age-dependent manner Journal Article


Authors: Brubaker, A. L.; Kovacs, E. J.
Article Title: G-CSF enhances resolution of Staphylococcus aureus wound infection in an age-dependent manner
Abstract: This study tested the hypothesis that heightened bacterial colonization and delayed wound closure in aged mice could be attenuated by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) treatment. Previously, we reported that aged mice had elevated bacterial levels, protracted wound closure, and reduced wound neutrophil accumulation after Staphylococcus aureus wound infection relative to young mice. In aseptic wound models, G-CSF treatment improved wound closure in aged mice to rates observed in young mice. Given these data, our objective was to determine if G-CSF could restore age-associated differences in wound bacterial burden and closure by increasing wound neutrophil recruitment. Young (3- to 4-month) and aged (18- to 20-month) BALB/c mice received three dorsal subcutaneous injections of G-CSF (250 ng/50 muL per injection) or saline control (50 muL per injection) 30 min after wound infection. Mice were killed at days 3 and 7 after wound infection, and bacterial colonization, wound size, wound leukocyte accumulation, and peripheral blood were evaluated. At days 3 and 7 after wound infection, bacterial colonization was significantly reduced in G-CSF-treated aged mice to levels observed in saline-treated young animals. Wound size was reduced in G-CSF-treated aged animals, with no effect on wound size in G-CSF-treated young mice. Local G-CSF treatment significantly enhanced neutrophil wound accumulation in aged mice, whereas there was no G-CSF-induced change in young mice. These data demonstrate that G-CSF enhances bacterial clearance and wound closure in an age-dependent manner. Moreover, G-CSF may be of therapeutic potential in the setting of postoperative wound infection or chronic nonhealing wounds in elderly patients.
Journal Title: Shock
Volume: 40
Issue: 4
ISSN: 1540-0514; 1073-2322
Publisher: Unknown  
Journal Place: United States
Date Published: 2013
Start Page: 327
End Page: 333
Language: eng
DOI/URL:
Notes: LR: 20141113; GR: R01 AG018859/AG/NIA NIH HHS/United States; GR: R01 AG018859/AG/NIA NIH HHS/United States; GR: T32 AG031780/AG/NIA NIH HHS/United States; GR: T32 AG031780/AG/NIA NIH HHS/United States; JID: 9421564; 143011-72-7 (Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor); NIHMS514642; OID: NLM: NIHMS514642; OID: NLM: PMC3792575; ppublish