Altered procollagen gene expression in mid-gestational mouse excisional wounds.
BACKGROUND
Many pathologic conditions are characterized by excessive tissue contraction and scar formation. Previously, we developed a murine model of excisional wound healing in which mid-gestational wounds heal scarlessly compared with late-gestational wounds. We theorized that variations in procollagen gene expression may contribute to the scarless and rapid closure.


METHODS
Time-dated pregnant FVB strain mice underwent laparotomy and hysterotomy on embryonic days 15 (E15) and 18 (E18). Full-thickness, excisional wounds (3 mm) were made on each of 4 fetuses per doe and then harvested at 32, 48, or 72 h. Control tissue consisted of age-matched normal fetal skin. Procollagen types 1alpha1, 1alpha2, and 3 gene expressions were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction and normalized to glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. Trichrome staining was also performed.


RESULTS
Procollagen 1alpha1 expression was decreased in E15 wounds at 32 h compared with their normal skin groups. Procollagen types 1alpha2 and 3 expressions were both increased in the E15 groups compared with the E18 groups at 48 h. At 72 h, the E15 wounds had a collagen density similar to the surrounding normal skin while E18 wounds exhibited increased collagen deposition in a disorganized pattern.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates that the pattern of gene expression for types 1 and 3 collagen varies between mid- and late-gestational mouse excisional wounds. These alterations in procollagen expression may contribute to a pattern of collagen deposition in the mid-gestational fetuses that is more favorable for scarless healing with less type 1 and more type 3 collagen.
Goldberg
Stephanie R
SR
Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Medical College of Virginia Hospitals, Richmond, Virginia, USA.
Quirk
Gerald L
GL
Sykes
Virginia W
VW
Kordula
Tomasz
T
Lanning
David A
DA
D000818:Animals; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000503:physiopathology; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000090602:Collagen Type I, alpha 1 Chain; D024061:Collagen Type III / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000378:metabolism*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D011247:Pregnancy; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000378:metabolism*
D024042:Collagen Type I; D000090602:Collagen Type I, alpha 1 Chain; D024061:Collagen Type III