Autofluorescence of collagen fibres in scar

Autofluorescence has become an important factor associated with diagnosis and treatment of many diseases.

Full thickness skin grafts and scar biopsies were obtained from five volunteers. The normal skin or scar tissue paraffin-wax sections were stained with HE and the autofluorescence of collagen fibres was viewed under fluorescence microscopy.

In normal skin, the autofluorescence was showed in dermis, specifically in collagen fibres. There was very weak autofluorescence in epidermis. The spectrum was excited at 488 nm and the peak value of autofluorescence was significantly different between reticular layer (169.24±9.18) and papillar layer of dermis (103.91±15.23). In scar tissue, the autofluorescence was showed in collagen fibres and the peak value was 176.71±20.69. The structure of collagen fibres in normal skin or scar tissue was different in loose degree, thickness, boundle size, and morphology by their autofluorescence.

The different peak value of autofluorescence between scar and normal skin may due to the different density of collagen fibtes in them. This study may provide us a simple and effective assessment indicator and method for diagnosis and treatment of scar.