Spatial and temporal expression of types I and II receptors for transforming growth factor beta in normal equine skin and dermal wounds.
OBJECTIVE
To describe immunolocalization of TGF-beta receptors (RI and RII) in normal equine skin and in thoracic or limb wounds, healing normally or with exuberant granulation tissue (EGT).


METHODS
Group A: six wounds on one metacarpus and one midthoracic area. Group B: six wounds on both metacarpi, one of which was bandaged to stimulate EGT. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect RI and RII expression in wound margins.


METHODS
Eight horses, randomly assigned to one of two study groups.


METHODS
Neutralizing polyclonal anti-rabbit RI and RII antibodies were used to detect spatial expression of RI and RII in biopsies obtained before wounding, at 12 and 24 hours, and 5, 10 and 14 days after wounding.


RESULTS
RI and RII were co-localized in both unwounded and wounded skin. There were no differences in cell types staining positively between tissues obtained from the limb and the thorax, or from normally healing limb wounds and limb wounds with EGT, at any time. Because of increased cellularity within EGT, staining intensity of limb wounds with 'proud flesh' was greater than limb wounds healing normally, and thoracic wounds, during the proliferative phase of repair.


CONCLUSIONS
Strong expression of RI and RII, particularly in limb wounds with EGT, suggested that signalling for stimulation of matrix proteins is in place to contribute to scarring.


CONCLUSIONS
This information may help determine the appropriate time for using receptor antagonists to prevent scarring of limb wounds of horses.
De Martin
Isabelle
I
Département de biomédecine vétérinaire, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada.
Theoret
Christine L
CL
D000818:Animals; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary; D006736:Horses / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries / Q000378:metabolism*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D053781:Transforming Growth Factor beta2; D014945:Wound Healing; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000378:metabolism / Q000662:veterinary*
D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D053781:Transforming Growth Factor beta2