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[Expression of c-kit in human intermediate-split-thickness skin grafts]
Fang Cao1, Chunyu Xue, Xin Xing
1Department of Plastic Surgery, Wuxi No.2 Hospital, Wuxi Jiangsu, 214001, P.R. China.
Objective:
To investigate the expression of c-kit in human intermediate-split-thickness skin grafts and normal skin, and to recognize the role of c-kit in hyperpigmented process of the skin grafts.
Methods:
The hyperpigmented intermediate-split-thickness skin grafts of 16 patients' face and cervicum 1 year after operation was harvested and the normal skins around the recipient site and the donor site were used as controls. Envision immunohistochemical technique was used to detect the expression and distribution of c-kit in the skin grafts and in the normal control skins, respectively. Medical image quantitative analysis system was used to quantitate the positive expression index (PI).
Results:
The expression of c-kit was located in endochylema and cytolemma of melanocytes and keratinocytes in the basilar part of epidermis. The positive expression of c-kit was obvious in the intermediate-split-thickness skin grafts and blown zone was observed in the basilar part of epidermis; and was not obvious and local in normal control skins. The PI of c-kit in the intermediate-split-thickness skin grafts (131,216 +/- 19,130) was significantly higher than that in the normal skin around the recipient site (92,958 +/- 16,208) and in the normal skin around the donor site (91,306 +/- 8,135); showing statistically significant difference (P < 0.05).
Conclusion:
The expression of c-kit in intermediate-split-thickness skin grafts increases remarkably compared with that in normal control skin. c-kit may play an important adjusting role in the process of hyperpigmentation of skin grafts.
