Gene expression patterns in isolated keloid fibroblasts

Keloid scars after skin trauma are a significant clinical problem, especially in black populations, in which the incidence of keloids has been estimated at 4-16%. Keloids are abnormal dermal proliferative scars secondary to dysregulated wound healing. Despite several biochemical studies on the role of extracellular matrix proteins and growth factors during keloid formation, we still do not know what molecules and signals induce this change. Fibroblasts are thought to be the major inductive cell for keloid scar formation. The aim of this study was to identify gene expression patterns that characterize keloid fibroblasts; identifying such genetic disequilibrium may shed light on the molecular signaling events responsible for keloid formation. In this study, we performed gene expression analysis of fibroblasts isolated from keloid lesions from three individuals in comparison with the fibroblasts isolated from normal skin using the Affymetrix U133a chip (22,284 genes and expression sequence tags). We found through J5 test score expression analysis that among 22,284 genes, there were 43 genes that were overexpressed and five genes were underexpressed in keloid fibroblasts when compared with dermal fibroblasts from persons without keloids. The overexpression of three genes not previously reported as being up-regulated in keloids (annexin A2, Transgelin, and RPS18) was confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Certain overexpressed genes were similar to previous biochemical observations on the protein levels of these overexpressed genes during keloid formation. We also report for the first time that a few tumor-related genes are overexpressed in keloid fibroblasts.     

细胞信号传导在激素和干扰素诱导的增殖瘢痕成纤维细胞凋亡中的作用

目的 探讨对瘢痕疙瘩和增生性瘢痕成纤维细胞在激素和干扰素α-2b(IFNα-2b)作用后是否产生凋亡,以及相关细胞信号传导通路的激活或抑制是否一致.方法 对6例瘢痕疙瘩、增生性瘢痕及6例皮肤标本,采用细胞培养、免疫组织化学、凝胶电泳及FACE ELISA方法通过检测Bax和Bcl-2蛋白表达、特异性DNA梯状条带以及激活(磷酸化)的ERK1/2和JNK的吸光度A值,对不同成纤维细胞在地塞米松(0.1 mg/ml)和干扰素α-2b(1000U/ml)作用后的细胞凋亡及相关细胞信号传导通路进行了研究.结果 地塞米松可通过激活ERK1/2和JNK细胞传导通路诱导三类不同来源成纤维细胞发生细胞凋亡;干扰素α-2b不能诱导这三类不同来源成纤维细胞发生明显细胞凋亡,且IFN α-2b抑制增殖瘢痕的ERK1/2通路,而对JNK通路无影响,其不引起正常皮肤成纤维细胞ERK1/2和JNK通路的变化.结论 激素类药物和干扰素α-2b对瘢痕疙瘩、增生性瘢痕和正常皮肤成纤维细胞的作用机制不同.     

Madecassoside suppresses migration of fibroblasts from keloids: involvement of p38 kinase and PI3K signaling pathways

Keloid is a specific skin scar that expands beyond the boundaries of the original injury as it heals. The invasive nature of keloid and notable migratory activity of fibroblasts are a hallmark, which distinguishes keloids from other common scars. Madecassoside, a triterpenoid saponin occurring in Centella asiatica herbs, possesses unique pharmacological properties to enhance wound-healing and diminish keloid formation. However, the effects of madecassoside on the formation of keloid scars have been poorly understood. Here, we focused on the potential of madecassoside on the migration of keloid-derived fibroblasts (KFs) and its mechanism. Primary KF, originating from human earlobe keloids, were purified and cultured, and then treated with madecassoside (10, 30, and 100μM). In both transwell migration assays and scratch-wound-closure assays, KF migration was considerably suppressed by madecassoside pretreatment. Furthermore, KFs treated with madecassoside showed decreased F-actin filaments, as revealed by fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-phalloidin staining and confocal microscopy. By Western blot analysis, madecassoside was shown to remarkably attenuate the phosphorylation of cofilin, p38 MAPK and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling, but only exhibited a minor effect on MMP-13 and little effect on ERK1/2 phosphorylation. It was concluded that madecassoside could be of great use in the treatment and/or prevention of hypertrophic scars and keloids.     

Study of microvascular structure in keloid and hypertrophic scars: density of microvessels and the efficacy of three-dimensional vascular imaging

We have investigated the blood vessels in keloids and hypertrophic scars, both morphologically and statistically. We also tried to construct three-dimensional images of blood vessels in a keloid and hypertrophic scar to clarify the vascular patterns. Keloids (n = 16) and hypertrophic scars (n = 12) were stained with haematoxylin and eosin, and immunostained with anti-CD31 antibody. The capillary density (number/1.0 mm(2)) and length of the major and minor axes were measured, and the major:minor axis ratio was calculated. Eighty serial sections were prepared from the preparations. Using image preparation software (Realia, INTAGE), the 80 input images were superimposed to construct a three-dimensional image of blood vessels in the tissue. We initially succeeded in constructing three-dimensional images of blood vessels in a keloid and hypertrophic scar. By statistical analysis of the vascular density and morphology, we clarified that there were fewer capillaries in keloids than in hypertrophic scars (p < 0.01), and that the vascular lumen was flattened. Capillaries in the central region of keloids tended to flat, compared with those in the marginal region. Three-dimensional images suggested that there was no microvascular communication in keloids; there was also an inadequate blood supply in keloid tissue. These findings may be a result of the growth of collagen and fibroblasts with keloid maturation.     

Effects of steroids,interferon-2B,or interluekin 1B on apoptosis of fibroblasts from keloid,hypertrophic scars,and normal skin and related signal pathway

Wound healing can lead to hypertrophic scar or keloid formation, characterized by an overabundant extracellular matrix. Current established treatment strategies include surgical resection, triamcinolone steroid injection, pressure therapy, silicone therapy, radiotherapy, etc. Cytokines also play a critical role in the regulation of cellular activities and extracellular matrix metabolism. Interferons (IFN) represent a group of antifibroproliferative agents that inhibit fibroblast proliferation and collagen production, and interleukin (IL)-1β also accelerates hypertrophic scar fibroblasts to produce collagenolytic enzymes, leading to tissue destruction. This study addressed the effects of steroid, IFN α-2b, or IL-1β on apoptosis and cell pathway of fibroblasts from keloids, hypertrophic scars, and normal skins and different responses of different fibroblasts. Six samples of keloid, six samples of hypertrophic scar, and six samples of normal skin were, respectively, collected from patients, and fibroblasts from different sources were cultured in vitro. After different fibroblasts were treated with dexamethasone (0.1 mg/ml) or IFN α-2b (1,000 μ/ml) or IL-1β (200 μ/ml), Bax and Bcl-2 were detected in situ by immunohistochemical staining; deoxyribonucleic acid ladders of different fibroblasts were observed by gel electrophoresis, and relative activated (phospho-) extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathways were detected by the method of fast activated cell-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In media containing dexamethasone, apoptosis took place in fibroblasts from keloids, hypertrophic scars, and normal skins by gel electrophoresis with increased rate of Bax/Bcl-2. Activated (phospho-) ERK1/2 and activated (phospho-) JNK expressions increased in three different fibroblasts. In media containing IFN α-2b, no apoptosis took place in three different fibroblasts without any change of expressions of Bax and Bcl-2 except for the expression of decreased Bcl-2 in fibroblasts from keloids. Activated (phospho-) ERK1/2 expression decreased in fibroblasts from keloid and hypertrophic scars without any changes of activated (phospho-) JNK expression, and IFN α-2b did not affect both activated (phospho-) ERK1/2 and activated (phospho-) JNK expressions in fibroblasts from normal skin. In media containing IL-1β, apoptosis of fibroblasts from keloids was induced by stimulating activated (phospho-) ERK1/2 and activated (phospho-) JNK pathways; IL-1β could not induce apoptosis of fibroblasts from normal skin (radio of Bax/Bcl-2 decreasing) whose activated (phospho-) ERK1/2 pathway was stimulated without any changes of activated (phospho-) JNK expression. Apoptosis in fibroblasts from hypertrophic scars was induced by activating the JNK pathway and prohibiting the ERK1/2 pathway. The effects of steroid, IFN α-2b, or IL-1β on apoptosis of different fibroblasts were different through different cell signal pathways, although all of them were effective for treatment of abnormal scars.     

Expression of transforming growth factor beta 1, 2, and 3 proteins in keloids.

Keloids represent a pathological response to cutaneous injury, creating disfiguring scars with no known satisfactory treatment. They are characterized by an excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix, especially collagen. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of keloids. The three TGF-beta isoforms identified in mammals (TGF-beta1, -beta2, and -beta3), are thought to have different biological activities in wound healing. TGF-beta1 and TGF-beta2 are believed to promote fibrosis and scar formation, whereas TGF-beta3 has been shown to be either scar inducing or reducing, depending on the study. The aim of this study was to characterize expression of TGF-beta isoforms in keloids at the protein level using Western blot analysis. The authors found that TGF-beta1 and -beta2 proteins were at higher levels in keloid fibroblast cultures compared with normal human dermal fibroblast cultures. In contrast, the expression of TGF-beta3 protein was comparable in both the normal (N = 3) and keloid (N = 3) cell lines. These findings, demonstrating increased TGF-beta1 and -beta2 protein expression in keloids relative to normal human dermal fibroblasts further support the roles of TGF-beta1 and -beta2 as fibrosis-inducing cytokines.     

Detection of apoptosis in keloids and a comparative study on apoptosis between keloids, hypertrophic scars, normal healed flat scars, and dermatofibroma

Recent studies have suggested that the regulation of apoptosis during wound healing is important in scar establishment and the development of pathological scarring. In this study, we demonstrate that keloid fibroblasts can be identified as apoptotic cells because of their highly condensed chromatin and discrete nuclear fragments. To further reveal the phenomenon of apoptosis, we quantified the number of terminal deoxynucleotide transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL)-positive cells in surgically resected tissues of keloids (N = 10), hypertrophic scars (N = 10), normal healed flat scars (N = 10), and dermatofibroma (N = 10). The number of TUNEL-positive cells was relatively low, but was significantly higher for the keloid group compared with the normally healed flat scar group (p = 0.004), suggesting reduced cell survival and increased apoptotic cell death in a subpopulation of keloid fibroblasts. Furthermore, the number of TUNEL-positive cells was significantly higher for the keloid group compared with the dermatofibroma group (p = 0.044), suggesting that a subpopulation of keloid fibroblasts may suppress tumorgenicity at a greater rate than dermatofibroma by undergoing cell death. Hypertrophic scars had significantly higher levels of apoptosis than normally healed flat scars (p = 0.033). Therefore, these results suggest that selected fibroblasts in keloids and hypertrophic scars undergo apoptosis, which may play a role in the process of pathological scarring.     

Fibronectin gene expression differs in normal and abnormal human wound healing

The overproduction of fibronectin and type I collagen in keloids and hypertrophic scars implicates altered regulation of extracellular matrix components as an important aspect of these wound healing pathologies. However, little is known about the similarities and differences in extracellular matrix gene expression during normal and abnormal wound healing. This study compared the content of fibronectin messenger RNA and rates of fibronectin protein biosynthesis in fibroblasts derived from normal skin, normal scar, keloid, and hypertrophic scar. Fibronectin expression was enhanced in cells from both normal and abnormal wounds relative to cells from quiescent normal skin. Matched pairs of normal and keloid fibroblasts from the same individuals were also compared, and three of the four pairs showed higher fibronectin expression by the keloid cells at the levels of messenger RNA and protein synthesis. This was consistent with previous studies showing elevated steady state content of fibronectin in keloid cells relative to normal cells from the same individual. Fibronectin messenger RNA and protein content in the tissues from which these cells were derived was examined by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. These studies revealed that in vivo, the steady state content of fibronectin messenger RNA and protein was highest in abnormal wounds, less in most normal scars, and lowest in normal skin. Thus, fibroblasts from keloids and hypertrophic scars overexpressed fibronectin in vivo relative to normal skin and normal scar and retain this characteristic in vitro relative to normal skin. Although normal scars contained little fibronectin protein and messenger RNA, cultured fibroblasts derived from these scars had contents of fibronectin messenger RNA and rates of biosynthesis in vitro similar to those of keloid fibroblasts. This indicates that the fibronectin regulatory pathway in scar fibroblasts is influenced by the tissue environment. These results are discussed with respect to the relationship of fibronectin expression in keloids, hypertrophic scars, and normal wounds in human beings.     

FBXL6 is dysregulated in keloids and promotes keloid fibroblast growth by inducing c-Myc expression

C-MYC-mediated keloid fibroblasts proliferation and collagen deposit may contribute to the development of keloids. F-box and leucine-rich repeat protein 6 (FBXL6) is reported to be involved in tumour progression, while the role of FBXL6 in keloid fibroblasts is not deciphered. Normal control skins, hypertrophic scars and keloid tissues were collected and prepared for FBXL6 detection. FBXL6 short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) or FBXL6 over-expression plasmids were transfected into keloid fibroblasts, and then c-MYC plasmids were further transfected. Cell viability was assayed with a Cell-Counting Kit-8 kit. The relative expression of FBXL6, Cyclin A1, Cyclin D2, Cyclin E1 and Collagen I was detected with real-time PCR and Western blot. Elevated FBXL6 expression could be observed in keloid tissues and hypertrophic scars. FBXL6 shRNAs transfection could inhibit the viability of keloid fibroblasts with diminished c-MYC expression and down-regulated Cyclin A1, Cyclin D2, Cyclin E1 and Collagen I expression. At the same time, overexpressed FBXL6 could promote the proliferation of keloid fibroblasts. Overexpression of c-MYC could promote the proliferation of keloid fibroblasts reduced by FBXL6 shRNAs with up-regulated Cyclin A1 and Collagen I expression. FBXL6 could promote the growth of keloid fibroblasts by inducing c-MYC expression, which could be targeted in keloids treatment.     

瘢痕疙瘩中Smads表达的研究

目的 探讨不同类型Smads在瘢痕疙瘩、正常瘢痕和正常皮肤中的差异表达及其意义.方法 采用RT-PCR和Western Blot法分别对10例瘢痕疙瘩、10例正常瘢痕及10例正常皮肤组织,以及体外培养瘢痕疙瘩、正常瘢痕及正常皮肤成纤维细胞中的Smads mRNA及蛋白的表达水平进行检测.用t检验比较其表达差异,P<0.05为差异具有统计学意义.结果 在瘢痕疙瘩组织及瘢痕疙瘩成纤维细胞中,Smad7的mRNA及蛋白水平表达明显低于正常瘢痕(P<0.05)和正常皮肤(P<0.05),而Smad2、3的mRNA及蛋白水平表达以及磷酸化的Smad2、3的蛋白水平表达并无明显改变(P>0.05).结论 在瘢痕疙瘩中,存在有Smad7的表达缺陷,这可能是增高的转化生长因子-β1(TGF-β1)/Smads信号传导不能被自身负反馈循环终止的重要原因.     

Description of site-specific morphology of keloid phenotypes in an Afrocaribbean population.

By examining the keloid scars of 211 Afrocaribbean patients presenting to the Plastic Surgery unit in Kingston, Jamaica, we have described site-specific morphologies of scarring; keloid disease is not a homogenous biological entity. All cases conformed to clinical criteria for diagnosis of keloid scarring: 369 keloid scars were present in 137 females (2-83 years; mean 29.6 years; SD+/-14.9 years) and 74 males (5-90 years, mean 29.5 years; SD+/-15.0 years). Morphologies were specific to each anatomical site: trunk scars (n=45,12.1%) were geometrically shaped with clear margins or irregular in outline, surface and margin; back single scars were well-demarcated botryoid but multiple scars were butterfly-shaped, spheroidal and irregular; chest scars (n=72,20.1%) were butterfly or nonbutterfly shaped found most commonly in the midsternal line; upper limb scars (n=57,15.3%) mostly in the deltoid region (propeller shaped) or elsewhere nodular, linear to irregular; ear (n=85,23%) commonest site being the lobe, having reniform to bulbous shape; face and neck (n=60,16.2%) scars were firm nodular to hard; posterior auricular scars were either horizontal and oblong-shaped or vertical and reniform in outline; scalp scars (n=11,2.8%) were commonest in the occipital area varying from small papules to large plaques; lower limb scars (n=39,10.5%) varied from propeller, butterfly, petalloid to dum-bell-shaped. Three plantar and eight pubic keloids were rare findings. Recognition of different morphological phenotypes is necessary in understanding genotypic predisposition and aiding diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of keloid scars.     

A novel model of humanised keloid scarring in mice

Treatments for keloid scarring are a major challenge to scientists and physicians for their unknown aetiology. Although several models, including monolayer cell culture to tissue‐engineered models, were developed, further research on keloid has more or less been hindered by the lack of appropriate animal models. Because these aberrant scars are specific to humans, we obtained human normal and keloid skin tissues and isolated dermal fibroblasts from them. Cell morphology, growth and immunohistochemical staining of myofibroblastmarker α‐SMA were examined, and the cell medium of 2‐hour culture and 24‐hour culture was implanted on the back of nude mice. The cell medium of 2‐hour culture and 24‐hour culture was also analysed by a protein array for the detection of distinction in inflammatory factors. We showed that keloid fibroblasts had similar morphology and growth compared to normal skin fibroblasts, but the α‐SMA expression was obviously up‐regulated. After 6 weeks, mice of the 2‐hour keloid‐derived culture medium group exhibited keloid‐like hypertrophic nodules macroscopically, while mice of 24‐hour keloid‐derived culture medium group were similar to normal skin. Histological findings confirmed that the reconstituted skin tissues had the typical features of human keloids. The protein array data revealed that RANTES were involved in humanised fibrotic occurrence in mice, also suggesting they were important modulators of this inflammatory event. This novel model might help to understand the key events that result in the formation of these abnormal scars and provide new therapeutic options.     

Study of microvascular structure in keloid and hypertrophic scars: Density of microvessels and the efficacy of three-dimensional vascular imaging

Abstract

We have investigated the blood vessels in keloids and hypertrophic scars, both morphologically and statistically. We also tried to construct three-dimensional images of blood vessels in a keloid and hypertrophic scar to clarify the vascular patterns. Keloids (n = 16) and hypertrophic scars (n = 12) were stained with haematoxylin and eosin, and immunostained with anti-CD31 antibody. The capillary density (number/1.0 mm²) and length of the major and minor axes were measured, and the major:minor axis ratio was calculated. Eighty serial sections were prepared from the preparations. Using image preparation software (Realia, INTAGE), the 80 input images were superimposed to construct a three-dimensional image of blood vessels in the tissue. We initially succeeded in constructing three-dimensional images of blood vessels in a keloid and hypertrophic scar. By statistical analysis of the vascular density and morphology, we clarified that there were fewer capillaries in keloids than in hypertrophic scars (p < 0.01), and that the vascular lumen was flattened. Capillaries in the central region of keloids tended to flat, compared with those in the marginal region. Three-dimensional images suggested that there was no microvascular communication in keloids; there was also an inadequate blood supply in keloid tissue. These findings may be a result of the growth of collagen and fibroblasts with keloid maturation.     

病理性瘢痕中c-fos原癌基因的表达

目的　病理性瘢痕是创伤过度愈合的结果 ,以成纤维细胞的异常增殖、合成及分泌大量胶原和细胞外基质为特征 ,其形成机理仍不清楚。探讨原癌基因c -fos的表达与病理性瘢痕形成的相关性。方法　应用免疫组化SP法 ,检测c -fos蛋白在增生性瘢痕、瘢痕疙瘩及正常皮肤组织中的表达和分布 ,并用图像定量分析比较其差异。结果　在增生性瘢痕和瘢痕疙瘩的成纤维细胞中c-fos呈强阳性表达 ,两组间无明显差异 ,而与正常皮肤对照组均有显著性差异。结论　增生性瘢痕与瘢痕疙瘩中c -fos蛋白表达升高 ,存在c -fos癌基因的激活 ,可能参与了成纤维细胞的分化增殖、胶原合成与降解以及对细胞因子的调控 ,并导致瘢痕增生     

病理性瘢痕中c-fos原癌基因的表达

目的　病理性瘢痕是创伤过度愈合的结果,以成纤维细胞的异常增殖、合成及分泌大量胶原和细胞外基质为特征,其形成机理仍不清楚。探讨原癌基因c-fos的表达与病理性瘢痕形成的相关性。方法　应用免疫组化SP法,检测c-fos蛋白在增生性瘢痕、瘢痕疙瘩及正常皮肤组织中的表达和分布,并用图像定量分析比较其差异。结果　在增生性瘢痕和瘢痕疙瘩的成纤维细胞中c-fos呈强阳性表达,两组间无明显差异,而与正常皮肤对照组均有显著性差异。结论　增生性瘢痕与瘢痕疙瘩中c-fos蛋白表达升高,存在c-fos癌基因的激活,可能参与了成纤维细胞的分化增殖、胶原合成与降解以及对细胞因子的调控,并导致瘢痕增生。     

异常瘢痕成纤维细胞在低血清及白介素1β作用下的细胞凋亡研究

目的 明确低血清及白介素1β（IL-1β）对瘢痕疙瘩,增生性瘢痕及正常皮肤成纤维细胞诱导细胞凋亡的作用。方法 对6例瘢痕疙瘩、6例增生性瘢痕及6例正常皮肤标本采用细胞培养、免疫组织化学及凝胶电泳方法,通过检测Bax,Bcl-2蛋白及特异性DNA梯形条带,对不同成纤维细胞在低血清中及IL-1β作用后的细胞凋亡进行了研究。结果 （1）在低血清中,瘢痕疙瘩和增生性瘢痕成纤维细胞的Gax/Bcl-2蛋白表达比值没有明显改变,但增生性瘢痕成纤维细胞出现程度较轻的细胞凋亡,而瘢痕疙瘩成纤维细胞未见明显细胞凋亡;正常皮肤成纤维细胞出现细胞凋亡,且Bax/Bcl-2比值升高,表明发生细胞凋亡,（2）IL-1β作用下,三者成纤维细胞均发生凋亡,瘢痕疙瘩和增生性瘢痕凋亡比正常皮肤严重。但Bax/Bcl-2比值在瘢痕疙瘩升高,在正常皮肤降低。增生性瘢痕无明显变化。结论 不同的成纤维细胞特性存在差异。     

A wound contraction experimental model for studying keloids and wound-healing modulators

Preventing and treating hypertrophic and keloid scars is difficult because of the lack of knowledge about their genesis. Tissue repair can be studied with biocompatible matrices and ex vivo cultures of different cell types. We used an experimental model where collagen gels populated by human fibroblasts underwent progressive contraction, allowing the study of wound healing remodeling. The fibroblast-populated lattices showed the greater contraction of the gel populated by fibroblasts from keloids versus fibroblasts from normal skin. Moreover, fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) involved in scar formation were added to the collagen gels populated by normal skin fibroblasts. TGF-beta caused an increase in gel contraction; FGF did not. The mean percentages of contraction of the gels populated by keloid fibroblasts were very similar to the percentages of gels populated by normal skin fibroblasts with added TGF-beta. These observations confirm the existing hypothesis that TGF-beta may be involved in keloid formation.     

Are keloid and hypertrophic scar different forms of the same disorder? A fibroproliferative skin disorder hypothesis based on keloid findings

Hypertrophic scars (HSs) and keloids are commonly seen as two different diseases by both clinicians and pathologists. However, as supported by histological evidence showing they share increased numbers of fibroblasts and accumulate collagen products, HS and keloid might be different forms of the same pathological entity, rather than separate conditions. To test this hypothesis, keloids from patients who underwent scar excisions (n = 20) in Nippon Medical School from 2005 to 2010 were examined histologically. The proportion and distribution of cellular and matrix collagen components were evaluated at the centre and periphery of each sample. In keloid samples, coexistence of hyalinised collagen, which is the most important pathognomonic characteristic of a keloid and dermal nodules that are considered to be characteristic of HS, was found. Moreover, hyalinised fibres appeared to initiate from the corner of the dermal nodules. Key features of inflammation such as microvessels, fibroblasts and inflammatory cells all decreased gradually from the periphery to the centre of keloids, indicative of reduced inflammation in the centre. Thus, we hypothesise that HS and keloid can be considered as successive stages of the same fibroproliferative skin disorder, with differing degrees of inflammation that might be affected by genetic predisposition.     

病理性瘢痕中原癌基因c-myc和c-fos的表达

目的　探讨原癌基因的表达与病理性瘢痕形成的相关性。方法　应用免疫组化SP法 ,检测c -myc和c -fos蛋白在增生性瘢痕、瘢痕疙瘩和正常皮肤组织中的表达和分布 ,并用图像定量分析比较其差异。结果　在增生性瘢痕和瘢痕疙瘩的成纤维细胞中c-myc、c -fos呈强阳性表达 ,两组间无明显差异 ,而与正常皮肤对照组均有显著性差异。结论　增生性瘢痕与瘢痕疙瘩中c -myc、c -fos蛋白表达升高 ,存在c -myc和c -fos原癌基因的激活 ,可能参与了成纤维细胞的分化增殖或表型转化、胶原合成与降解以及对细胞因子的调控 ,并导致瘢痕增生。     

Decreased expression of inhibitory SMAD6 and SMAD7 in keloid scarring.

Keloids are benign skin tumours occurring during wound healing in genetically predisposed patients. They are characterised by an abnormal deposition of extracellular matrix components, in particular collagen. There is evidence that transforming growth factor-beta (TGFbeta) is involved in keloid formation. SMAD proteins play a crucial role in TGFbeta signaling and in terminating the TGFbeta signal by a negative feedback loop through SMAD6 and 7. It is unclear how TGFbeta signaling is connected to the pathogenesis of keloids. Therefore, we investigated the expression of SMAD mRNA and proteins in keloids, in normal skin and in normal scars. Dermal fibroblasts were obtained from punch-biopsies of keloids, normal scars and normal skin. Cells were stimulated with TGFbeta1 and the expression of SMAD2, 3, 4, 6 and 7 mRNA was analysed by real time RT-PCR. Protein expression was determined by Western blot analysis. Our data demonstrate a decreased mRNA expression of the inhibitory SMAD6 and 7 in keloid fibroblasts as compared to normal scar (p<0.01) and normal skin fibroblasts (p<0.05). SMAD3 mRNA was found to be lower in keloids (p<0.01) and in normal scar fibroblasts (p<0.001) compared to normal skin fibroblasts. Our data showed for the first time a decreased expression of the inhibitory SMAD6 and SMAD7 in keloid fibroblasts. This could explain why TGFbeta signaling is not terminated in keloids leading to overexpression of extracellularmatrix in keloids. These data support a possible role of SMAD6 and 7 in the pathogenesis of keloids.