Role of myofibroblasts in formation of hypertrophic scar / 中华创伤杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the role of myofibroblasts expressing α-smooth muscle actin (a-SMA) in hyperplastic scar formation.Methods Expression of α-SMA in normal skin and scar was examined by means of immunohistochemistry.The contents of myofibroblasts were measured and com-pared with that of hydroxyproline through cell culture.The contents of precollagen (pc β) , transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) and fibronectin in fibroblasts and myofibroblasts were assayed by ELISA.Results Vascular smooth muscle cells rather than other hypodermal cells expressed α-SMA in normal skin (P<0.01).The expression ofa-SMA was markedly increased up to 96.89% in hyperplastic scar tissues, with statistical difference compared with normal skin (P < 0.01).The contents of hydroxyproline (P <0.01) , pc (P <0.05) , TGF-β (P <0.01) and fibronectin (P <0.05) in myofibroblasts were significantly higher than those in fibroblasts.Conclusion Myofibroblasts play a key role in formation of hypertrophic scar.