Development of gene microarray in screening differently expressed genes in keloid and normal-control skin.
BACKGROUND
Keloid is an intricate lesion that is probably regulated by many genes. In this study, the authors used the technique of complementary DNA (cDNA) microarray to analyse abnormal gene expression in keloids and normal control skins.


METHODS
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products of 8400 genes were spotted in an array on chemical-material-coated-glass plates. The DNAs were fixed on the glass plates. The total RNAs were isolated from freshly excised human keloid and normal control skins, and the mRNAs were then purified. The mRNA from both keloid and normal control skins were reversely transcribed to cDNAs, with the incorporation of fluorescent dUTP, for preparing the hybridisation probes. The mixed probes were then hybridised to the cDNA microarray. After thorough washing, the cDNA microarray was scanned for differing fluorescent signals from two types of tissues. Gene expression of tissue growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and of c-myc was detected with both RT-PCR and Northern blot hybridisation to confirm the effectiveness of cDNA microarray.


RESULTS
Among the 8400 human genes, 402 were detected with different expression levels between keloid and normal control skins. Two hundred and fifty genes, including TGF-beta1 and c-myc, were up-regulated and 152 genes were down-regulated. Higher expressions of TGF-beta1 and c-myc in keloid were also revealed using RT-PCR and Northern blot methods.


CONCLUSIONS
cDNA microarray analysis provides a powerful tool for investigating differential gene expression in keloid and normal control skins. Keloid is a complicated lesion with many genes involved.
Chen
Wei
W
Department of Wound Healing, 304th Hospital, Beijing 100037, China.
Fu
Xiao-bing
XB
Ge
Shi-li
SL
Sun
Xiao-qing
XQ
Zhou
Gang
G
Zhao
Zhi-li
ZL
Sheng
Zhi-yong
ZY
D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007627:Keloid / Q000235:genetics*; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D012867:Skin
D018076:DNA, Complementary; D012333:RNA, Messenger