Interferon alpha-2a reduces early erythema after full-thickness skin graft in the pig

Skin grafting is a commonly performed procedure, but studies of changes in the levels of cytokines after skin grafting have not been reported.

We examined changes in cytokines and the degree of erythema after skin grafting in pigs in the control group. Interferon alpha (IFN-alpha) was injected to reduce erythema, and subsequent changes in cytokines and the degree of erythema were examined in the experimental group.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), thrombospondin-1 (TSP1), and CD31 were examined using Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. The degree of erythema was measured at 2, 4, and 8 weeks using a chromometer.

In the control group, VEGF increased at 2 weeks and decreased at 4 and 8 weeks. TSP1 increased over time. CD31 increased to 4 weeks and decreased at 8 weeks. In the experimental group, VEGF was lower at 2 weeks and higher at 8 weeks than in the control group, TSP1 was higher at 2 weeks and lower at 8 weeks, and CD31 was lower at 4 and 8 weeks. Erythema in the experimental group was lower than that in the control group at 2 and 8 weeks.

IFN-alpha may be one of the agents that reduces erythema by suppressing excessive revascularization.