TGF-β change in blister fluid of hypertrophic scar and its significance

Objective To investigate of the tissue TGF-β changes at early stage of hypertrophic scar formation and the value of scar blisters in hypertrophic scar.Methods The TGF-β1 content in the blister fluid and the blood were quantified with ELISA,patients(n=15)with hypertrophy scar after depth burn were included,three time point(each n=5)on early　stage(<3 months)of hypertrophy scar formation were monitored.and normal skin blister fluid and the blood(n=5)was used as control.Results The serum TGF-β1 in the both hypertrophic scar patients and normal skin group was not elevated(P>0.01),the TGF-β1 in the blister of normal skin was also not elevated(P>0.01),but TGF-β1 level in the scarblisters hypertrophic scar was elevated significantly<60 d(158.5±69.8)pg/L,60-90 d,(181.1±40.1)pg/L,>90 d,(534.4±125.9)pg/L,P<0.01] and higher than the normal skin blister and the blood(P<15.6 pg/L.P<0.01),the increased TGF-β1 1evel in the hypertrophic scar blisters were persisted for at least three months.the TGF-β1 level of scar blister on the 3th month of hypertrophic scar formation reached a peak (534.4±125.9)pg/L,P<0.01].Conclusions The data in this study indicates that TGF-β production at the early stage of hypertrophic scar formation is increased and may play an important role in scar formation;scar blisters is a valuable approach in hypertrophic scar study.