title: Role of chymase in the local renin-angiotensin system in keloids: inhibition of chymase may be an effective therapeutic approach to treat keloids.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Histologically, keloids contain excess fibroblasts and an overabundance of dermal collagen. Recently, it was reported that chymase induced a profibrotic response via transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/Smad activation in keloid fibroblasts (KFs). However, the role of chymase in the local renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in keloids has not been elucidated. This study aims to determine whether chymase plays an important role in the local RAS in keloids.
  
  
  METHODS
  We compared the expression and activity of chymase in keloids and normal skin tissues using Western blotting and radioimmunoassay, and studied the expression of TGF-β1, interleukin-1β, collagen I, hydroxyproline, and angiotensin II in KFs after chymase and inhibitors' treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results revealed an increased activity of chymase in keloid tissues, and that chymase enhanced the expression of angiotensin II, collagen I, TGF-β1, and interleukin-1β in KFs. Blockade of the chymase pathway involved in the local RAS lowered the expression of these signaling factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This research suggests that inhibition of chymase might be an effective therapeutic approach to improve the clinical treatment of keloids.
authors.affiliation: Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Ru
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Junjie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Zhenyu
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000378:metabolism; D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D053818:Chymases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D006909:Hydroxyproline / Q000378:metabolism; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D007627:Keloid / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000187:drug effects; D015842:Serine Proteinase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D024042:Collagen Type I; C508585:IL1B protein, human; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D015842:Serine Proteinase Inhibitors; C508960:TGFB1 protein, human; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D000804:Angiotensin II; D053818:Chymases; D006909:Hydroxyproline
keywords: angiotensin II; chymase; pathological scar; therapy