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MMPs and TIMP-1 are differentially expressed between acute murine excisional and laser wounds
Bradley K Draper1, Mari K Davidson, Lillian B Nanney
1Department of Medicine (Dermatology), Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA. bradley.draper@mcmail.vanderbilt.edu
Background And Objectives:
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their physiological inhibitors, the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) play significant roles in wound repair. The aim of this study was to determine whether MMP and TIMP-1 mRNA is differentially expressed between laser-created and excisional skin wounds.
Study Design/Materials And Methods:
Full-thickness wounds were created on the dorsal surface of Balb/c mice by either excision of the skin or with a CO2 laser. Animals were sacrificed at days 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, and 13, and their wounds processed for RNA isolation or histology and immunohistochemistry.
Results:
Northern hybridization for MMP-3, -10, -13, and TIMP-1 mRNA demonstrated higher expression on days 1, 3, and 5 in the laser wounds as compared to the excisional wounds. Histological evaluation revealed a two day delay in the resurfacing of laser wounds as compared to excisional wounds. Immunohistochemistry of Day 5 and 7 excisional and laser wounds showed MMP-3 within the epidermal compartment and the neo-dermis. No remarkable differences were noted in the spatial distribution patterns of MMP-3 between wound types.
Conclusions:
Our findings demonstrate that MMPs and TIMP-1 mRNA expression is higher on days 1-5 post injury in full thickness laser-created wounds than in comparable same day excisional wounds.
Insights
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) mRNA expression is higher in laser-created wounds than excisional wounds during early healing. This study compared gene expression and healing in these wound types.
Area of Science:
- Wound healing research
- Biomedical engineering
- Dermatology
Background:
- Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are crucial for wound repair.
- Understanding differential gene expression in wound types is vital for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate differential messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of MMPs and TIMP-1.
- To compare gene expression between laser-created and excisional skin wounds.
Main Methods:
- Full-thickness skin wounds were created using CO2 laser or surgical excision in Balb/c mice.
- Wounds were analyzed at multiple time points (days 1-13) via RNA isolation, histology, and immunohistochemistry.
Main Results:
- Higher MMP-3, -10, -13, and TIMP-1 mRNA expression was observed in laser wounds on days 1-5 compared to excisional wounds.
- Laser wounds showed a two-day delay in resurfacing.
- MMP-3 was present in the epidermis and neo-dermis of both wound types without significant spatial differences.
Conclusions:
- Laser-created wounds exhibit elevated MMPs and TIMP-1 mRNA expression in the early healing phase (days 1-5) compared to excisional wounds.
- These findings highlight distinct molecular responses to different wound creation methods.