[Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2, -9 and their inhibitor-1 in hypertrophic scars].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the gene expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2, MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in proliferative and mature hypertrophic scars.


METHODS
Total RNA from 8 normal skin samples and from 16 human hypertrophic scar samples of different maturing stage was respectively extracted, and then mRNA was isolated. The gene expressions of MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in these samples were examined with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).


RESULTS
The gray scale ratio of MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 transcription in normal skin were (3.8 +/- 0.7)%, (5.8 +/-4.4)%, (30.3 +/- 3.0)%, respectively, which were obviously higher than those in proliferative hypertrophic scar [(14 +/- 5)%, (18 +/- 5)%, (38 +/- 4)%, P < 0.05]. The expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 genes in mature hypotrophic scar returned to normal level, but that of TIMP-1 remained high when compared with that of normal level (P < 0. 05).


CONCLUSIONS
The increase in MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 gene expression might be involved in the formation of hypertrophic scars, while the lowering of MMP-2 and MMP-9 gene expression might be associated with the maturation of hypertrophic scars.
Xie
Xiao-Fan
XF
Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, Youanmen Hospital of Beijing Hospital Association, Beijing 100069, PR China.
He
Li-Xin
LX
Hao
Xiao-Feng
XF
Chen
Bi
B
Jia
Chi-Yu
CY
Sun
Zhi-Gang
ZG
Cao
Yu-Jue
YJ
Li
Dong Hai
DH
D017439:Cicatrix, Hypertrophic / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9