OBJECTIVETo observe the characteristics of keratin 19 and integrin beta1 expressions in the wound after microskin grafting , and to investigate the healing mechanism.

METHODSFull layer skin defects were created in twenty Sprague-Dawley rats and they were divided into two groups, i.e., A group (with grafting of autologous microskin accounting 10% in weight of epidermis loss from skin defect), B group (with grafting of autologous microskin and allogeneic microskin, accounting 10% and 40% weight of epidermis loss respectively in skin defect). The wound healing rate and contraction rate were observed at 2,3,4 post-grafting week (PGW), and the expression and distribution of keratin 19 and integrin beta1 were observed at 2 and 4 PGW.

RESULTSThe wound healing rate in the B group on 2 and 3 PGW was obviously higher than that in A group [(85 +/- 5)% vs. (53 +/- 10)%, (84 +/- 8)% vs. (65 +/- 9)%, P < 0.01]. No obvious difference in wound contraction rate between the two groups was observed on the 2, 3 and 4 PGW (P > 0.05). Cells with expression of keratin 19 and integrin beta1 were observed in the suprabasal layers of the epidermis in healing wound, but not in the basal membrane. Integrin beta1 positive expression cells were not observed in the suprabasal layers until 4 PGW.

CONCLUSIONMixed grafting with autogenous and allogenous microskin can improve wound healing. Ectopic expression of keratin 19 and integrin beta1 exists during wound healing process after microskin grafting.