mRNA and protein expression of transcription factor c-fos in burned rats and their effects on wound healing

OBJECTIVE: To explore the expression of mRNA and its protein in burned rats and their effects on burn wound healing. METHODS: A partial-thickness burn of 30% total body surface ar ea was created on the back of 40 Wistar rats. In situ hybridization and immunohi stochemical methods were used to evaluate the location and the amount of the c-fos mRNA and its protein in normal skin and the burned skin, respectively, at 3 h, 6 h, 1 d, 3 d, 7 d and 14 d after burn. RESULTS: Under a light microscope, both the expression of c-fo s mRNA and its protein could be found in the normal skin, but their induction le vels were much higher in the burned skin. The level of fos protein expression reached peak at 3 h after burn while that of c-fos mRNA reached peak at 6 h aft er burn. CONCLUSIONS: The expression of c-fos can be induced by burns. And the peak level expression of c-fos mRNA comes later than that of c-fos p rotein. It indicates that the action of fos protein is induced by post-translat ional modification of pre-existing fos molecules.