OBJECTIVETo study the expression of keratinocyte (KC) basement membrane (BM) related genes during the process of re-epithelialization of burn wound in scalded rats with cDNA microarray technique.

METHODSTwenty-four SD rats were inflicted with deep partial thickness scald with an area of 45 cm(2) on the back, and they were randomly divided into A [3 postscald day (PSD)], B (10 PSD), C (14 PSD) and D (re-epithelialization complete day) groups, with 6 rats in each group. Tissue samples were harvested from 1 cm of wound margin on 3, 10 and 14 PSD. On the re-epithelialization complete day, tissue samples were harvested from the center of the wound in D group and digested with enzyme into KC suspensions. Skin samples from the back of 6 uninjured rats were taken as normal control. The differential expression of KC BM related genes during different stages of re-epithelialization was assayed with cDNA microarray.

RESULTSThe expression of laminin (LN) gamma 1 (2.068) and integrin beta8 (2.200) was up-regulated on 3 PSD compared with that in control. The expression of integrin beta1 and LN receptor 1 was up-regulated on 10 and 14 PSD, (2.472 and 2.658), while that of integrin beta2 and beta1 (0.419 and 0.462) down-regulated on 10 and 14 PSD, and the expression of type IV collagen alpha1 and alpha3 was up-regulated during re-epithelialization.

CONCLUSIONThe expression of integrin beta1, LN gamma 1, LN receptor 1, type IV collagen alpha1 and alpha3 genes were up-regulated during re-epithelialization, which might be beneficial to the construction of BM in new skin and the formation of stable conjunction between KC and BM.