4-Aminopyridine Promotes Accelerated Skin Wound Healing via Neurogenic-Mediator Expression

The study found that 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), a potassium channel blocker approved by the FDA for improving walking ability in multiple sclerosis, significantly enhances skin wound healing. The benefits of 4-AP include faster wound closure, restoration of normal skin architecture, increased vascularization, reinnervation, and hair follicle neogenesis within the healed wounds. The compound also increased levels of vimentin (fibroblasts), α-smooth muscle actin (collagen-producing myofibroblasts), and neuronal regeneration. Additionally, 4-AP increased the expression of SRY-Box Transcription Factor 10 (SOX10) and levels of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), substance P, and nerve growth factor (NGF), which are important promoters of wound healing. In-vitro studies showed that 4-AP enhanced the proliferation and migration of human keratinocytes and Schwann cells, and improved cellular interactions between neuronal and non-neuronal cells to further accelerate wound healing. Therefore, 4-AP could be a promising new approach to enhance skin wound healing and tissue regeneration.