Clinical investigation in the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 mRNA in the hyperplastic scar in burn patients / 中华烧伤杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the dynamic expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 in the hyperplastic scar in burn patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-three pieces of hyperplastic scar tissue samples were harvested from the patients with deep partial thickness burn wound during the early, middle and late periods after natural wound healing. In situ hybridization technique and positive cell percentage counting were employed to determine the expression and the distribution of MMP-2 mRNA in the scar tissue from different periods with that of the middle period as the control.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>MMP-2 mRNA was mainly expressed in the fibroblasts in scar tissue. The positive percentage of MMP-2 in early period was 13.9 +/- 3.6%, and it increased thereafter, till it reached 68.7 +/- 5.2% in the middle period. However, it declined to 2.0 +/- 0.9% in the late period.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>MMP-2 might be closely related to the process of scar tissue remodeling.</p>