Combination of an Engineered Lactococcus Lactis Expressing CXCL12 with Light-Emitting Diode Yellow Light as a Treatment for Scalded Skin in Mice

The study evaluated the healing effects of a combined treatment using an engineered Lactococcus lactis strain that produces CXCL12 and LED yellow light on scald wounds in mice. The combination therapy significantly enhanced wound healing, as evidenced by faster wound closure, improved tissue remodeling, re-epithelialization, and hair follicle regeneration. It also reduced inflammation and increased levels of growth factors and cell proliferation markers. The treatment upregulated key proteins in the Wnt and Notch signaling pathways, which are crucial for cell growth and differentiation, and it improved collagen formation and antioxidant enzyme activity in the wound tissue. Additionally, the therapy decreased levels of inflammatory cytokines and reduced skin pathogens, suggesting a lower infection risk. The study used a total of 112 mice, with 4 mice per group for specific analyses, and concluded that the combination of LED yellow light and the engineered Lactococcus lactis could be a promising approach for treating skin wounds.