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Updated: Dec 22, 2025
Assessment of Acute Wound Healing using the Dorsal Subcutaneous Polyvinyl Alcohol Sponge Implantation and Excisional Tail Skin Wound Models.
Published on: March 25, 2020
PC4 serves as a negative regulator of skin wound healing in mice
Fengying Liao1, Long Chen1, Peng Luo1
1Institute of Rocket Force Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China.
Background:
Human positive cofactor 4 (PC4) was initially characterized as a multifunctional transcriptional cofactor, but its role in skin wound healing is still unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore the role of PC4 in skin wound healing through PC4 knock-in mouse model.
Methods:
A PC4 knock-in mouse model (PC4+/+) with a dorsal full-thickness wound was used to investigate the biological functions of PC4 in skin wound healing. Quantitative PCR, Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry were performed to evaluate the expression of PC4; Sirius red staining and immunofluorescence were performed to explore the change of collagen deposition and angiogenesis. Proliferation and apoptosis were detected using Ki67 staining and TUNEL assay. Primary dermal fibroblasts were isolated from mouse skin to perform cell scratch experiments, cck-8 assay and colony formation assay.
Results:
The PC4+/+ mice were fertile and did not display overt abnormalities but showed an obvious delay in cutaneous healing of dorsal skin. Histological staining showed insufficient re-epithelialization, decreased angiogenesis and collagen deposition, increased apoptosis and decreased cell proliferation in PC4+/+ skin. Our data also showed decreased migration rate and proliferation ability in cultured primary fibroblasts from PC4+/+ mice in vitro.
Conclusions:
This study suggests that PC4 might serve as a negative regulator of skin wound healing in mice.
Insights
Positive cofactor 4 (PC4) acts as a negative regulator in skin wound healing. PC4 knock-in mice exhibit delayed healing, reduced collagen, and impaired cell function.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Molecular Biology
- Wound Healing Research
Background:
- Human positive cofactor 4 (PC4) is a known transcriptional cofactor.
- Its specific role in skin wound healing remains largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the function of PC4 in the process of skin wound healing.
- Utilized a PC4 knock-in mouse model to elucidate PC4's biological impact.
Main Methods:
- Employed a PC4 knock-in mouse model (PC4+/+) with dorsal full-thickness wounds.
- Assessed PC4 expression via qPCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry.
- Analyzed collagen deposition, angiogenesis, proliferation, and apoptosis using histological and cellular assays.
Main Results:
- PC4+/+ mice displayed significantly delayed cutaneous wound healing.
- Observed insufficient re-epithelialization, reduced angiogenesis, and diminished collagen deposition.
- Noted increased apoptosis and decreased cell proliferation in PC4+/+ skin and cultured fibroblasts.
Conclusions:
- PC4 appears to function as a negative regulator in murine skin wound healing.
- Findings suggest PC4's involvement in critical cellular processes during wound repair.
