Immune profile of hyaluronic acid hydrogel polyethylene glycol crosslinked: An in vitro evaluation in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Neauvia hydrogel (N-Gel) is a hyaluronic acid-based dermal filler, cross-linked with polyethylene glycol. This filler contains sodium hyaluronate at different concentrations, poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether cross-linked, glycine, and l-prolyne. Assessing any effects of N-Gel on immunity and inflammation is of crucial importance. The aim of the study was to characterize the ability of N-Gel to modulate human polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) functions, including migration, oxidative metabolism, and production of proinflammatory mediators. N-Gel was tested on isolated human PMN. Spontaneous and N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP)-stimulated migration were examined using the Boyden Chamber technique, whereas the oxidative metabolism was assessed through spectrofluorometric measurement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production under resting conditions and after stimulation with fMLP. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-8 mRNA levels were measured by real-time PCR after stimulation with fMLP or Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide. This study showed that N-Gel reduced fMLP-induced migration and ROS production without affecting these functions in resting cells. In addition, incubation of PMN with N-Gel effectively reduced both TNF-α and IL-8 mRNA levels. N-Gel modulates critical functions of human PMN such as migration and oxidative metabolism, indicating its potential as an anti-inflammatory agent.