OBJECTIVETo observe the expression characteristics of EGFR and FGFR-2 in normal skin from fetal and adult, and attempted to probe the molecule mechanism of fetal scarless healing.

METHODSThe skin samples of fetal and adult were taken from abortive fetus of obstetrics unit and donor site of plastic operation patients in our burn unit, respectively. EGFR and FGFR-2 were used as the biochemical markers for reparative cells. Immunohistochemistry staining technique was employed to determine the expressive levels of different epithelial cells markers.

RESULTSThere were EGFR and FGFR-2 antibody positive cells in normal skin from fetal and adult, but the expressive levels of EGFR and FGFR-2 protein had apparent difference, with the time of fetation increasing, the EGFR and FGFR-2 positive expression rate became stronger gradually. The number of FGFR-2 antibody positive cells found in adult skin was much more than that in fetal skin.

CONCLUSIONThere were the inherent differences of EGFR and FGFR-2 antibody immunohistochemistry staining in cells of adult and fetal skin. which may be an essential facet of fetal scarless healing.