Effect of a collagen matrix containing epidermal growth factor on wound contraction.
Excessive wound contraction is known to lead to pathological wound contracture. Using a rabbit model, we applied a bovine type I collagen matrix sponge as a dermal substitute and human epidermal growth factor to full-thickness excisional wounds. Wound contraction was assessed 14 and 28 days after wounding. It was found that both collagen matrix and epidermal growth factor significantly inhibited wound contraction (p < 0.001) in all wounds treated with collagen matrix alone or treated with 0.1 and 1 microg of epidermal growth factor 28 days after wounding. Interestingly, the combination of collagen matrix with epidermal growth factor strongly inhibited wound contraction over matrix alone (p < 0.01 on day 28). Histological analyses showed a regular horizontal arrangement of collagen fibers in the dermis under wounds treated with these substances but not under untreated wounds. Furthermore, using a fibroblast-populated collagen gel, the direct inhibitory effect of epidermal growth factor on gel contraction by fibroblasts was also observed. Collagen gels without stimulation contracted to 29.5 +/- 0. 6% of their original size, as determined 6 days after culturing. At 3 days or more, epidermal growth factor inhibited collagen gel contraction by fibroblasts (after 6 days: 34.2 +/- 1.8%, p > 0.05; 36.5 +/- 2.8%, p < 0.05; and 39.8 +/- 2.1%, p < 0.001 at 1, 10, and 100 ng/ml of epidermal growth factor, respectively). In conclusion, collagen matrix and epidermal growth factor, particularly in combination, may be useful in the prevention of wound contracture.
Inoue
M
M
Department of Dermatology and the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Dermatology, Fukushima Medical University, School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan.
Ono
I
I
Tateshita
T
T
Kuroyanagi
Y
Y
Shioya
N
N
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003094:Collagen / Q000502:physiology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000502:physiology; D011817:Rabbits; D013997:Time Factors; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D003094:Collagen