TGF-beta s and TGF-beta type II receptor in human epidermis: differential expression in acute and chronic skin wounds.
Exogenously applied transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) isoforms enhance wound healing processes in animal models; however, little is known about the expression of endogenous TGF-beta s and TGF-beta receptors in intact human skin or during wound healing. The present study has revealed several unexpected findings by means of in situ hybridization and immunohistology techniques. In humans, TGF-beta 3 is constitutively expressed in the epidermis of intact skin and in that of acute and chronic wounds--a pattern of expression closely mirrored by the TGF-beta type II receptor. Although not detected in intact skin, TGF-beta 1 mRNA expression was observed in the regenerating epidermis of acute (thermal) wounds but was not found in chronic decubital (pressure) wounds. TGF-beta 2 mRNA expression was not detected in the epidermis of any human skin or wound biopsies. From these findings we suggest that constitutive expression of TGF-beta 3 is important for maintenance of epidermal differentiation and that an induction of TGF-beta 1 expression is essential for re-epithelialization of human skin wounds. Lack of TGF-beta 1 expression in chronic pressure wounds may be associated with their protracted healing tendencies.
Schmid
P
P
Ciba-Geigy Ltd., Pharma Division, Biotechnology, Basel, Switzerland.
Cox
D
D
Bilbe
G
G
McMaster
G
G
Morrison
C
C
Stähelin
H
H
Lüscher
N
N
Seiler
W
W
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries / Q000378:metabolism*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta