Expression of CTGF mRNA in sclerotic skin of mice with bleomycin-induced scleroderma / 中华皮肤科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the expression of connective tissue growth factor(CTGF) mRNA in the sclerotic skin of mice with bleomycin (BLM)-induced scleroderma. Methods Twenty-four SPF female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into the model group and the control group. The model mice were subcutaneously injected on the back with 0.1 mL of BLM (300 ?g/mL, diluted in saline) daily for 4 weeks, while the controls were injected with saline in the same manner. After the final injection the skin section in the injected area was collected for histological examination, measurement of dermis thickness, determination of hydroxyproline contents by a colorimetric method, detection of CTGF mRNA expression by in situ hybridization and measurement of CTGF and pro-collagen ?1(pro-COL1A1) mRNA expression by semiquantitative RT-PCR. Results Compared with the control mice, the model mice showed typical scleroderma histologically. The dermis was significantly thicker and the skin hydroxyproline content was significantly higher in the model group than that in the controls (both P