Elevated Circulation Levels of an Antiangiogenic SERPIN in Patients with Diabetic Microvascular Complications Impair Wound Healing Through Suppression of Wnt Signaling

The study found that elevated levels of kallistatin, an antiangiogenic serpin, in type 2 diabetic patients with microvascular complications impaired wound healing by suppressing Wnt/β-catenin signaling, which is crucial for hair follicle development and wound repair. Experiments with kallistatin-transgenic mice showed delayed wound healing and reduced vascular and hair-follicle density. Lithium, an activator of β-catenin, was able to reverse these effects, suggesting a potential therapeutic approach for improving wound healing in diabetic patients. The findings highlighted the significant role of kallistatin in the impaired skin function and wound repair observed in these patients.