An in vivo mouse excisional wound model of scarless healing.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to develop a reproducible murine model of fetal scarless wound healing.


METHODS
One-millimeter excisional wounds were made in fetal skin at gestational days 16.5 (E17) and 18.5 (E19) (term = day 21.5, or E22) and marked with India ink. Fetal mortality was less than 30 percent in E17 fetuses and 0 percent in E19 fetuses. Control postnatal 2-mm open wounds were made in 3-week-old mice.


RESULTS
At 48 hours, E17 skin wounds had healed completely. E19 skin wounds also healed but were marked by skin irregularity at the wound site. Histologically, E17 wounds had fine reticular collagen architecture by trichrome staining and hair follicle regeneration. In contrast, E19 wounds healed with collagen deposition and scar formation and no hair follicle regeneration.


CONCLUSIONS
The authors have developed a reliable mouse model of fetal scarless repair to help elucidate the mechanism of scarless wound healing to take advantage of genetically modified animals. The knowledge gained may be used to manipulate scarring in the adult to produce a more fetal-like wound.
Colwell
Amy S
AS
Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic Surgery, Children's Surgical Research Program, Stanford, Calif. 94305-5148, USA.
Krummel
Thomas M
TM
Longaker
Michael T
MT
Lorenz
H Peter
HP
D000818:Animals; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus; D005865:Gestational Age; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D023421:Models, Animal; D011247:Pregnancy; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology