Nitric oxide-releasing nanoparticles accelerate wound healing in NOD-SCID mice

Wound healing is a complex process, coordinated by various biological factors. In immunocompromised states wound healing can be interrupted as a result of decreased numbers of immune cells, impairing the production of effector molecules such as nitric oxide (NO). Therefore, topical NO-releasing platforms, such as diethylenetriamine (DETA NONOate), have been investigated to enhance wound healing. Recently, we demonstrated a nanoparticle platform that releases NO (NO-NPs) in a sustained manner, accelerating wound healing in both uninfected and infected murine wound models. Here, NO-NPs were investigated and compared to DETA NONOate in an immunocompromised wound model using non-obese, diabetic, severe combined immunodeficiency mice. NO-NP treatment accelerated wound closure as compared to controls and DETA NONOate treatment. In addition, histological assessment revealed that wounds treated with NO-NPs had less inflammation, more collagen deposition, and more blood vessel formation as compared to other groups, consistent with our previous data in immunocompetent animals. These data suggest that NO-NPs may serve as a novel wound-healing therapy in the setting of immunocompromised states associated with impaired wound healing. From the Clinical Editor: Wound healing in an immunocompromised host is often incomplete and is a source of major concern in such conditions. This work demonstrates in a murine model that in these settings NO releasing nanoparticles significantly enhance wound healing.