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EXOGENOUS TRANSFORMING GROWTH-FACTOR-BETA AMPLIFIES ITS OWN EXPRESSION AND INDUCES SCAR FORMATION IN A MODEL OF HUMAN FETAL SKIN REPAIR ANNALS OF SURGERY Lin, R. Y., Sullivan, K. M., Argenta, P. A., Meuli, M., Lorenz, H. P., Adzick, N. S. 1995; 222 (2): 146-154

Abstract

Fetal skin wounds heal without scarring. To determine the role of TGF-beta 1 in fetal wound healing, mRNA expression of TGF-beta 1 was analyzed in human fetal and adult skin wounds.Human fetal skin transplanted to a subcutaneous location on an adult athymic mouse that was subsequently wounded heals without scar, whereas human adult skin heals with scar formation in that location. In situ hybridization for TGF-beta 1 mRNA expression and species-specific immunohistochemistry for fibroblasts, macrophages, and neutrophils were performed in human adult wounds, fetal wounds, and fetal wounds treated with a TGF-beta 1 slow release disk.Transforming growth factor-beta 1 mRNA expression was induced by wounding adult skin. No TGF-beta 1 mRNA upregulation was detected in human fetal skin after wounding. However, when exogenous TGF-beta 1 was added to human fetal skin, induction of TGF-beta 1 mRNA expression in human fetal fibroblasts occurred, an adult-like inflammatory response was detected, and the skin healed with scar formation.Transforming growth factor-beta 1 is an important modulator in scar formation. Anti-TGF-beta 1 strategies may promote scarless healing in adult wounds.

View details for Web of Science ID A1995RM73400006

View details for PubMedID 7639582