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Updated: Oct 3, 2026

Murine Excisional Wound Healing Model and Histological Morphometric Wound Analysis
Published on: August 21, 2020
[mRNA and protein expression of three growth-related factors and their possible signal transduction pathways in wound
1Key Research Laboratory of Wound Repair, 304th Hospital, People's Liberation Army, Beijing 100037, China.
Objective:
To observe the time course and tissue distribution of c-fos, c-myc and basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF) genes and their proteins in burned skin, and explore the possible network regulation mechanisms of c-fos, c-myc and bFGF in wound healing and the role of the protein kinase C pathway involved in signal transduction among these growth-related factors.
Methods:
The study was carried out on 188 Wistar rats. Animal model with 30% partial thickness scald injury was made and all rats were randomly divided into several groups: normal control (n = 8), injured control (n = 36), anti-c-fos (n = 36), bFGF (n = 36), 1-5-Isoquinolinyl-sulfony-2methylpiperazine (H7), and 2, 3-Butanedione monoxime (BDM) (n = 36). In situ hybridization, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and streptavidin peroxidase (SP) immunohistochemistry methods were used to detect the gene and protein expression of c-fos, c-myc and bFGF in the wounded tissues.
Results:
(1) The first appeared induction of growth-related gene was c-fos, the second bFGF, and the last c-myc. They were peaked at 3 h, 1 d and 3 d postburn with values of 14.5 +/- 1.3, t = 13.306; 0.15 +/- 0.04, t = 3.460 and 0.11 +/- 0.05, t = 2.292, respectively (P < 0.05). (2) Treatment with c-fos antibody decreased the expression of these three growth-related factors when compared with that in the controls. There were a 80% decrease in c-myc and a 85% decrease in bFGF. (3) Treatment with H7 inhibited the gene and protein expression of c-fos and bFGF. The peak times of c-myc gene and protein were delayed to 6 hours post injury. Treatment with BDM induced an earlier expression of c-myc mRNA at 6 hours, and increased the gene and protein expressions of c-fos and bFGF. The total amount of their values was increased to 0.23 +/- 0.07, t = 2.942 and 0.69 +/- 0.07, t = 5.134 (P < 0.01).
Conclusions:
Thermal injury can induce a series of growth-related gene expression showing a phasic control and regional distribution. c-fos plays an important role in wound healing process. Protein kinase C pathway may repair wound.
Insights
Burned skin triggers sequential expression of c-fos, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and c-myc genes. c-fos is crucial for wound healing, and the protein kinase C pathway may aid repair.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Wound Healing Research
- Biochemistry
Context:
- Thermal injury initiates complex molecular responses in skin.
- Understanding gene and protein dynamics is key to improving wound healing strategies.
Purpose:
- To investigate the temporal and spatial expression patterns of c-fos, c-myc, and bFGF genes and proteins following thermal injury.
- To elucidate the regulatory network of these factors in wound healing.
- To explore the involvement of the protein kinase C pathway in signal transduction.
Summary:
- Burned rat skin showed sequential induction of c-fos, bFGF, and c-myc, peaking at different time points.
- Inhibition of c-fos reduced c-myc and bFGF expression, while protein kinase C pathway modulators (H7, BDM) differentially affected gene and protein expression.
- c-fos plays a significant role in the wound healing process, with the protein kinase C pathway potentially involved in repair mechanisms.
Impact:
- This study reveals a phased gene expression pattern in thermal wound healing.
- Identifies c-fos as a critical factor and suggests the protein kinase C pathway as a therapeutic target for enhancing wound repair.
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