The impact of cyclooxygenase-2 mediated inflammation on scarless fetal wound healing.
Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and the prostaglandin products generated as a result of COX-2 activity mediate a variety of biological and pathological processes. Scarless healing occurs in fetal skin in the first and second trimesters of development. This scarless healing process is known to proceed without a significant inflammatory response, which appears to be important for the lack of scarring. Because the COX-2 pathway is an integral component of inflammation, we investigated its role in the fetal repair process using a mouse model of scarless fetal wound healing. COX-2 expression in scarless and fibrotic fetal wounds was examined. In addition, the ability of exogenous prostaglandin E(2) to alter scarless fetal healing was evaluated. The results suggest that the COX-2 pathway is involved in scar production in fetal skin and that targeting COX-2 may be useful for limiting scar formation in adult skin.
Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
Traci A
TA
Wilgus
Valerie K
VK
Bergdall
Kathleen L
KL
Tober
Kara J
KJ
Hill
Srabani
S
Mitra
Nicholas A
NA
Flavahan
Tatiana M
TM
Oberyszyn
D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000201:enzymology*; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000201:enzymology*; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000502:physiology*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D010120:Oxytocics / Q000494:pharmacology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000502:physiology*; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
D007527:Isoenzymes; D010120:Oxytocics; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases; D015232:Dinoprostone