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Life sciences · Journal article
Kocatepe Tıp Dergisi · October 12, 2026
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OBJECTIVE: Pediocin, a class IIa bacteriocin produced by Pediococcus species, exhibits potent antimicrobial activity primarily against Gram-positive bacteria. However, recent evidence suggests that some bacteriocins can also interact with eukaryotic cells, influencing host responses such as angiogenesis and wound repair. This study aimed to investigate the biological effects of pediocin on human gingival fibroblast (HGF) cells, focusing on its impact on angiogenesis- and wound healing–related pathways.MATERIAL AND METHODS: Human gingival fibroblast cells were treated with increasing concentrations of pediocin (10–200 nM). The gene expression levels of Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), Epidermal growth factor (EGF), and Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) were analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR to assess angiogenic and epithelial growth responses. A wound scratch assay was performed to evaluate the effects of pediocin on wound closure at different doses.RESULTS: Pediocin significantly increased VEGFA gene expression in a dose-dependent manner, with a 27.809-fold increase at 100 nM (p < 0.05), indicating its potential to promote angiogenesis. However, wound closure was negatively affected at higher concentrations: the control group achieved 85.3% wound closure at 24 hours, whereas treatment with 100 nM and 200 nM pediocin resulted in reduced wound closure (73.6% and 68.7%, respectively), representing approximately 14% and 19% impairment compared to control. Additionally, a 2.648-fold increase in EGF expression was observed at 100 nM (p < 0.0001), implying that pediocin modulates EGF signaling in a concentration-dependent manner. No significant changes were detected in EGFR expression (p > 0.05), suggesting indirect regulation of this pathway.CONCLUSIONS: Although VEGFA and EGF are crucial mediators of tissue repair, the complex and dose-dependent interactions of pediocin with these molecules highlight the need for further research into its therapeutic potential. Pediocin demonstrates both beneficial and detrimental effects, underscoring the importance of optimizing its dosage and timing for effective application in wound healing and possibly cancer therapy. These findings support the concept that bacteriocins act as dual-function molecules both antimicrobial and host-modulatory agents warranting continued investigation into their biological safety and therapeutic uses.