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Updated: Aug 13, 2026
Ex Vivo Corneal Organ Culture Model for Wound Healing Studies
Published on: February 15, 2019
Differential expression of angiotensin receptors in human cutaneous wound healing
U M Steckelings1, B M Henz, S Wiehstutz
1Centre for Cardiovascular Research, Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hessische Strasse 3-4, 10115 Berlin, Germany. ulrike.steckelings@charite.de
Background:
Angiotensin AT1 and AT2 receptors are expressed in human skin. Furthermore, AT2 receptors have been reported to be upregulated during tissue repair and remodelling in various noncutaneous human tissues.
Objectives:
Detection of alterations in angiotensin II receptor expression during wound healing in human skin.
Methods:
Three models were employed. (i) Primary human keratinocytes were razor scraped in culture flasks and alterations in the expression of angiotensin receptor mRNA determined by semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction for 1-12 h thereafter. (ii) Early wound healing (48 h after cutting) was studied in punch biopsies from human skin ex vivo by means of immunohistochemical staining using polyclonal antibodies against the AT1 or AT2 receptor. (iii) In vivo wound healing was studied in sections of human cutaneous scars by immunohistochemistry to determine receptor expression early (2 days) and late (2 weeks-3 months) after surgery.
Results:
In all experimental settings, an upregulation of both receptor subtypes was noticed after wounding. Immunohistochemically stained skin sections showed a stronger expression of AT2 than of AT1 receptors within the area of scarring. Enhanced receptor expression was detectable as early as 24 h after injury and lasted for up to 3 months.
Conclusions:
From these data, we conclude that angiotensin AT1 and AT2 receptors are upregulated in human cutaneous wounds, giving further support to the concept that angiotensin II plays a role even at an early stage during cutaneous wound healing.
Insights
Angiotensin AT1 and AT2 receptors are upregulated in human skin wounds. This suggests angiotensin II plays a role in early cutaneous wound healing.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Wound Healing Research
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Angiotensin AT1 and AT2 receptors are present in human skin.
- AT2 receptors are known to increase during tissue repair in non-skin tissues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detect changes in angiotensin II receptor expression during human skin wound healing.
Main Methods:
- Studied angiotensin receptor mRNA in cultured human keratinocytes post-wounding.
- Used immunohistochemistry to examine AT1 and AT2 receptor expression in ex vivo and in vivo human skin wounds.
- Analyzed receptor expression at various time points from 24 hours to 3 months post-injury.
Main Results:
- Both AT1 and AT2 receptor subtypes showed increased expression after wounding in all models.
- AT2 receptor expression was notably higher than AT1 receptor expression in scarred skin.
- Enhanced receptor expression was observed as early as 24 hours and persisted for up to 3 months.
Conclusions:
- Angiotensin AT1 and AT2 receptors are upregulated in human cutaneous wounds.
- These findings support the role of angiotensin II in the early stages of skin wound healing.
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