The American journal of pathology
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The alpha-chemokines have been implicated as regulators of proliferation and differentiation of normal keratinocytes and as mediators of keratinocyte maturation and migration in inflammatory processes that involve the skin. Using the cutaneous wound repair model, we examined the sites and temporal sequence of the appearance of melanoma growth stimulatory activity or growth-regulated gene (MGSA/GRO;ligand) and the type B interleukin (IL)-8 receptor (IL-8RB) to which MGSA/GRO binds. Human burn tissues (n = 44) representing days 2 to 12 after injury were obtained during surgical debridement, fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde, and embedded in paraffin. ⋯ This same pattern was observed in epidermal appendages such as hair follicles and eccrine sweat ducts. In granulation tissues, IL-8 RB was noted in numerous fibroblasts and in subpopulations of macrophages and smooth muscle. The presence of both MGSA/GRO and its receptor in human burn wounds implicate this cytokine as an autocrine or paracrine mediator of epidermal regeneration in both the inflammatory and proliferative phases of cutaneous wound repair.
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The topical application of recombinant growth factors such as epidermal growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor-BB homodimer (rPDGF-BB), keratinocyte growth factor (rKGF), and neu differentiation factor has resulted in significant acceleration of healing in several animal models of wound repair. In this study, we established highly reproducible and quantifiable full and deep partial thickness porcine burn models in which burns were escharectomized 4 or 5 days postburn and covered with an occlusive dressing to replicate the standard treatment in human burn patients. We then applied these growth factors to assess their efficacy on several parameters of wound repair: extracellular matrix and granulation tissue production, percent reepithelialization, and new epithelial area. ⋯ Although the epithelial proliferation induced by rKGF resulted in marked neoepidermal psoriasiform hyperplasia with exaggerated rete ridges and neoepidermal and follicular maturation as assessed by expression of cytokeratin 10, a marker of keratinocyte terminal differentiation was not delayed and appeared to be accelerated in some rKGF-treated burns. Recombinant epidermal growth factor induced a trend toward increased new epithelial area in deep partial thickness burns, but had no effect on reepithelialization. The recombinant neu differentiation factor-alpha 2 isoform had no significant biological effects in either full or deep partial thickness burns.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)