Abstract:

BACKGROUND: A thorough study on pathological scar pathogenesis at gene and protein level is of great value.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the expressions of matrix metalloproteinase 7 and transforming growth factor β1.
METHODS: Pathological scar samples were collected after surgeries carried out in the Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Workers’ Hospital of Tangshan, between 2004 and 2009. There were 54 samples of keloid and 42 samples of hypertrophic scar. A total of 45 regular scar samples gained from surgical resection due to noninfectious diseases were selected as control group. The expressions of matrix metalloproteinase 7 and transforming growth factor β1 were semi-quantitatively examined by flow cytometry.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The expression of matrix metalloproteinase 7 and transforming growth factor β1 in pathological scars were significantly higher than that in the normal scars and healthy skin tissues. The expressions of matrix metalloproteinase 7 and transforming growth factor β1 in normal scars were significantly higher than those in the healthy skin tissues. The expressions of matrix metalloproteinase 7 in pathological scars and normal scars were positively correlated with the expression of transforming growth factor β1. These results indicate that the high level expression and synergistic effect of matrix metalloproteinase 7 and transforming growth factor β1 may promote the occurrence and development of pathological scars.