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Cytokine and Growth Factor mRNA Expression Patterns Associated with the Hypercontracted, Hyperpigmented Healing Phenotype of Red Duroc Pigs: A Model of Abnormal Human Scar Development?

  • Basic/Clinical Science
  • Published:
Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery

Abstract

Background

Skin wounds in red Duroc pigs heal with the formation of hypercontractile, hyperpigmented scars, similar in some respects to human hypertrophic scars.

Objective

The goal of this study was to characterize the mRNA expression patterns for a subset of relevant cytokines, growth factors, receptors, and transcription factors involved in the red Duroc scarring phenotype.

Methods

Full-thickness and deep dermal wounds were created on the backs of juvenile female red Duroc pigs. Samples were taken every two weeks postwounding and total RNA and DNA were extracted and quantified. RT-PCR was performed using porcine gene-specific primers for 15 relevant molecules.

Results

The majority of molecules examined exhibited a biphasic pattern of expression, with peaks of expression at days 14 and 56 postinjury.

Conclusions

The molecular expression pattern observed correlates well with the gross healing phenotype and matrix molecule expression patterns previously reported in red Duroc pigs. These findings enhance our understanding of the processes associated with fibroproliferative scar-formation.

Antécédents

Les lésions cutanées chez les cochons rouges Duroc guérissent grâce à la formation de cicatrices hypercontractiles et hyperpigmentées, similaires à certains égards aux cicatrices hypertrophiques chez les sujets humains.

Objectifs

Caractériser I’expression de I’ARNm d’un sous-ensemble de cytokines, de facteurs de croissance, de récepteurs et de facteurs de transmission sous-jacents aux phénotypes des cicatrices chez le cochon rouge Duroc.

Méthodes

Des blessures cutanées profondes ont été créées sur le dos de jeunes femelles du cochon rouge Duroc. Des échantillons ont été prélevés toutes les deux semaines et I’ADN et I’ARN ont été tirés et quantifiés. Une RT-PCR a été pratiquée sur 15 molécules au moyen d’amorces spécifiques aux génes porcins.

Résultats

La majorité des molécules examinées ont révélé un schéma d’expression biphasique, avec une intensification de l’expression aux journées 14 et 56 suivant la blessure.

Conclusions

Le schéma d’expression moléculaire observé correspond aux schémas d’expression des molécules de la matrice et des phénotypes de cicatrisation déjà rapportés chez les cochons rouges Duroc. Ces résultats améliorent notre compréhension du processus de formation des cicatrices fibroproliferatives.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Dr. Jian-Fei Wang, Carol Reno, and Helen Tsao for their expert assistance with these studies, and Dr. Régine Mydlarski (Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Calgary) for manuscript review.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Surgery, Medicine, and Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

    Corrie L. Gallant–Behm & David A. Hart

  2. Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

    Merle E. Olson

  3. McCaig Centre for Joint Injury and Arthritis Research, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, T2N 4N1, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

    David A. Hart

Authors
  1. Corrie L. Gallant–Behm
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  2. Merle E. Olson
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  3. David A. Hart
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to David A. Hart.

Additional information

CLGB was supported by a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)-Industry studentship in conjunction with Nucryst Pharmaceuticals, Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Canada. DAH is the Calgary Foundation–Grace Glaum Professor in Arthritis Research. These studies were supported by the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) Institute for Gender and Health and funds from the Professorship to DAH.

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Gallant–Behm, C.L., Olson, M.E. & Hart, D.A. Cytokine and Growth Factor mRNA Expression Patterns Associated with the Hypercontracted, Hyperpigmented Healing Phenotype of Red Duroc Pigs: A Model of Abnormal Human Scar Development?. J Cutan Med Surg 9, 165–177 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10227-005-0105-4

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