[Replication of pathological scar in nude mice].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the feasibility of reproduce hypertrophic scar and keloid in nude mice in the study of pathological scars.


METHODS
Pieces (0.8 x 0.8 x 0.5 cm) of hypertrophic scars and keloids were implanted into subcutaneous tissue of the nude mice for 16 days, during this period the gross condition of the nude mice and the state of the implants were observed. The implants were extracted after 16 days, and the volume, the microscopic characteristics of the scar, the content of acid mucopolysaccharide, and different types of collagen were determined and compared with that of the original specimens.


RESULTS
All mice survived with nice wound healing after the surgery. There was no obvious difference in the acid mucopolysaccharide content in keloid and hyperplastic scar before implantation (3448 +/- 1452, 1940 +/- 509), and after implantation (3237 +/- 1871, 1809 +/- 552, P > 0.05). The implants maintained the collagen pattern, with no signs of cell degeneration and necrosis.


CONCLUSIONS
This experiment showed that the viability and morphology of hypertrophic scars and keloids were maintained after they were implanted in nude mice. Therefore it is feasible to use nude mice as the animal model in the study of hypertrophic scars and keloids.
Jin
Pei-Sheng
PS
Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P. R. China.
Cen
Ying
Y
Liu
Xiao-Xue
XX
Chen
Jun-Jie
JJ
Xu
Xue-Wen
XW
Liu
Yong
Y
Li
Jing-Jing
JJ
Wang
Yaojun
Y
D000818:Animals; D017439:Cicatrix, Hypertrophic / Q000473:pathology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D007627:Keloid / Q000473:pathology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008819:Mice, Nude