Objective To investigate the effect of integrin expression on procollagen synthesis of fibroblasts in wound healing. Methods Antisense oligonucleotides were used to intercept the expression of integrin ? 5 or ? 1 subunit on fibroblasts respectively in wound healing, then the changes of procollagen mRNA were detected by RT-PCR. Results The antisense oligoncleotdes could specifically inhibit the expression of integrin subunit. Decreased expression of integrin?5 or ?1 subunit on fibroblasts significantly lowered mRNA of procollagen ? 1(Ⅰ) and ? 1(Ⅲ). Conclusion Reduction of integrin expression on fibroblasts in wound may inhibit procollagen synthesis in the level of transcription. These results provide the experimental gists on studying of scar reduction in wound healing.

Objective To explore the efficacy of prefabricated expanded cervico-scapulo-dorsal reverse axial flap combined with cervico-thoracic skin flap to repair cicatricial contracture of lateral neck. Methods Ten patients with cicatricial contracture of lateral neck were repaired by prefabricated expanded cervico-scapulo-dorsal reverse axial flap combined with cervico-thoracic skin flap. The flaps were transferred to repair the wound caused by excision of the scar on the lateral side of the neck. Results All the twenty skin flaps survived in first intention. Both the configuration and function were satisfactory after 6 to 18-month follow-up. Conclusion Prefabricated expanded cervico-scapulo-dorsal reverse axial flap combined with cervico-thoracic skin flap is an ideal method to repair the cicatricial contracture of lateral neck.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the genome structure variation (SV) related with keloid using the whole-gene resequencing technology.

METHODSWe studied a keloid pedigree containing 4 generation of 27 people. 5 people (4 cases of keloid patients, and 1 case of normal) were selected to extract the genomic DNA. Then the whole-gene resequencing technique was used to check the variations.

RESULTSThrough database comparison and variation annotation analysis, we obtained 2 SVs associated with keloid formation. We used DAVID software to do the gene ontology and pathway analysis. We found a 168 bp inversion in gene tetraspanin 8 (TSPAN8) in all keloid patients, which contained the forth exon of TSPAN8.

CONCLUSIONSThere was no report about SVs related to keloid. In this study, we found 2 SVs associated with keloid, especially TSPAN8. The tumor cells express the TSPAN8 can up-regulate the vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors, promote the adjacent fibroblasts secrete matrix metalloproteinases and uridylyl phosphate adenosine. So we hypothesis that the inversion of the forth exon in TSPAN8 may lead to the signal transduction disorder in the keloid patients. This study was a preliminary research. It needs a further study containing large sample to confirm.

Base Sequence ; Female ; Humans ; Keloid ; genetics ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Pedigree ; Sequence Analysis ; methods ; Tetraspanins ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo screen SNP information of keloid pedigrees through whole genome sequencing.

METHODSWe Collected information and clinical data of the keloid pedigree and constructed charts of the pedigree. The DNA was extracted from peripheral venous blood samples of the pedigree to sequence the whole genome.

RESULTS27 SNP and 8 disease-associated genes were screened out.

CONCLUSIONSWhole genome sequencing technology can select new genetic mutations associated with keloid, and provide a new way for the research of keloid.

China ; ethnology ; Genome, Human ; Humans ; Keloid ; genetics ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

Objective Island scapular flap (ISF) based on transverse branch of circumflex scapular artery is less reported than ISF based on ascending or descending branch. This article presented authors' experiences in correction of severe axillary burn scar contracture with ISF based transverse branch of circumflex scapular artery. Methods ISFs based transverse branch was harvested in 12 patients with 15 severe axillary burn scar contracture, rotating an arc of about 180°. Flap size was between 12 cm× 5cm to 20 cm × 10 cm. The donor site was closed primarily. Results All 15 flaps survived completely and axillary burn scar contracture was corrected successfully. 8 patients were satisfied with both the functional and aesthetic results after 1-3 years' follow-up. Conclusion ISF based transverse branch of circumflex scapular artery is a good choice for reconstruction of severe axillary burn scar contracture, especially for female patients or ones whose ISF based on ascending or descending branch could not be harvested because of formation of hypertrophic scar in donor site.

Objective To explore the effect of botulinum toxin type A(BTXA)in the treatment of early hypertrophic scars(HTS).Methods BTXA was injected into and around the eady HTS,and then the modal and histological changes of the scars as well as the clinical reaction were observed in the patient.BTXA was also injected into muscle around the incision and effect on the cicatrization observed.Results Injection of BTXA could obviously alleviate ache and pruritus of eady HTS and could impel the atrophy and inteneration of eady HTS.Changes were found in paraffin-embedded tissue section by the hemetoxylin and eosin(HE)staining.Injection of BTXA into muscle around the cut could can reduce occurrence of HTS.Conclusion BTXA can help prevent the early HTS to a certain extent.The mechanism underlying this effect may be related to the reducing the tension around scars and proliferative activity,interfering with the signal transduction of small nerves,affecting the proliferation and apoptosis of fibroblasts and subsequently decreasing the collagen synthesis.

Objective To explore the application range of expand er s and its clinical efficacy in repair and reconstruction after burn. Methods Two hundred and eighty-six expanders were implanted in 80 burned patients. Volume of the smallest expander was 80cc, and that of the bi ggest one was 800cc. The expansive time ranged from 3 weeks to 2 months. In the second operation, expansive flaps were created and used in the de fected lesion where the scar was removed. Results 7 5 patients were followed up for at least one year with satisfactory results and only 3 patients showed complications that expanders exposed during expan sion. Conclusion Reasonable application of expanders coul d get satisfactory results in repair and reconstruction of severe scar, especia lly for scar at extremities and special sites after burn.

Objective To study the clinical and genetic characteristics of keloid through investigating on four Han Chinese pedigrees.Methods The pedigree information and clinical data from Han Chinese keloid pedigrees were collected,which consisted of 22 patients in 127 family members,and then the charts of these pedigrees were constructed according to the data.Using the genetic model and pedigree analyses we summarized the clinical features of the disease in the families.Results Four Han Chinese keloid pedigrees were discovered.The three pedigree spans included 3 generations and one was 4 generations.Incidence of KD in the consanguinity family member was 23.7％ (23/93),and 20.8％ (11/53) in male KD,and 27.5％ (11/40) in female.Incidence of anterior chest KD was 40.9 ％.The inheritance pattern observed in these pedigrees was consistent with an autosomal dominant inheritance multi-gene hereditary disease with incomplete penetrance,and its nonpenetrance of KD gene carriers was 12％ (3/25).Conclusions The pattern of inheritance observed in these four Han Chinese keloid pedigrees is similar to previous reports and no gender differences are found in the incidence of disease,but differences in pathogenic site.Pedigree investigation helps to reveal the genetic characteristics of keloid.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of botulinum toxin type A (BTXA) on the expression of alpha smooth muscle actin(alpha-SMA) and myosin-II of fibroblasts in scars. Methods Fibroblasts were isolated from tissue specimens of scars contracture. Cells from passages 3-5 were randomly divided into 3 groups (control group, low BTXA group (1 U/10(6) Cells), and high BTXA group (2.5 U/ 10(6)Cells)). Growth condition of fibroblasts was observed at 1 , 4, 7 day after BTXA treated. Changes of alpha-SMA and myosin-II in fibroblasts were detected by Western blot.

RESULTSFibroblasts grew well in control group. The proliferation was decreased 4 days later in BTXA groups. Lots of apoptotic cells were seen in high BTXA group at 7th day. Proteins of alpha-SMA and myosin-II in fibroblasts were statistically different between BTXA group and control groups at 4th day (P < 0.05). The expression of alpha-SMA and myosin-II in low BTXA group was higher than that in high BTXA group at 7th day (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBTXA could induce the apoptosis of fibroblasts and decrease the expression of alpha-SMA and myosin-II in fibroblasts. The inhibitory effect was strengthened with BTXA concentration increase within a certain range.

Actins ; metabolism ; Botulinum Toxins, Type A ; pharmacology ; Cicatrix ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Muscle, Smooth ; metabolism ; Myosin Type II ; metabolism ; Random Allocation

Objective To investigate the correlation between human epidermal stem cell (hESCs) and hypertrophic scar or keloid. Methods Improved collagen Ⅳ-coated adhesion methods was used to isolate and culture the epidermal stem cells after neutral protease selectively digested the dermo-epidermal junctions. After the cells were cultured and expanded in vitro, and passage 3 hESCs were induced by different concentrations of TGF-β1 (0.1, 5.0, and 10.0 ng/ml). Morphological fea-tures and identification of these cells were meseasured by HE, Masson, immunohistochemical staining on the days 3 and 7, respectively. Results After induced by TGF-β1 for 3 and 7 days, the morpholo-gy of the epidermal stem cell (hESCs) was changed into fusiform shape, similar to fibroblasts. 70 % ofthe cell which was induced by TGF-β1 were blue stained in the cytoplasm by Masson stain, which is the distinctive method for collagen, suggesting collagen appeared or increased in the cells. The collagen concentrations in supernatants of hESCs were 0.4150±0.0014, 0.3380±0. 0020, and 0.3870±0.0020, much higher than that in control group (0.0780±0.0025) and normal skin fibro-blast group (0.15004±0.0051) (P<0.05). Immunohistochemical staining revealed that positive rates of these cells for anti-vimentin staining were more than (95.00±1.20)% in experiments and (5.70±0.20)% in control group. Conclusion The differentiantion of hESCs induced by TGF-β1 into fibro-blasts indicates that hESCs may play a role in the pathogenesis of hypetrophic scar and keloid.