Recruitment of a Prostaglandin E Receptor Subtype, EP3-Expressing Bone Marrow Cells Is Crucial in Wound-Induced Angiogenesis

E-type prostaglandins have been reported to be proangiogenic in vivo. Thus, we examined prostaglandin receptor signaling relevant to wound-induced angiogenesis. Full-thickness skin wounds were created on the backs of mice, and angiogenesis in wound granulation tissues was estimated. Wound closure and re-epithelization in EP3 receptor knockout mice (EP3−/−) were significantly delayed compared with their wild-type (WT) mice, whereas those in EP1−/−, EP2−/−, and EP4−/− were not delayed. Wound-induced angiogenesis estimated with CD31 immunohistochemistry in EP3−/− mice was significantly inhibited compared with that in WT mice. Immunoreactive vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in wound granulation tissues in EP3−/− mice was markedly less than that in WT mice. Wound closure in WT mice was delayed significantly by VEGF neutralizing antibody compared with control IgG. Wound-induced angiogenesis and wound closure were significantly suppressed in EP3−/− bone marrow transplantation mice compared with those in WT bone marrow transplantation mice. These were accompanied with the reductions in accumulation of VEGF-expressing cells in wound granulation tissues and in mobilization of VEGF receptor 1-expressing leukocytes in peripheral circulation. These results indicate that the recruitment of EP3-expressing cells to wound granulation tissues is critical for surgical wound healing and angiogenesis via up-regulation of VEGF.