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Basic fibroblast growth factor in the early human burn wound
N S Gibran1, F F Isik, D M Heimbach
1University of Washington Medical Center, Department of Surgery, Seattle 98195.
The Journal of Surgical Research
|March 1, 1994
Summary
Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is released from local injury sites and plays a key role in early wound healing. This study shows bFGF is stored and released, aiding tissue repair after burns.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Dermatology
- Wound Healing Research
Background:
- The role of endogenous growth factors in normal wound healing remains unclear.
- Most current data comes from studies using externally applied recombinant growth factors.
- Understanding endogenous growth factor roles is crucial for advancing wound care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and localization of endogenous basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in human burn wounds.
- To determine the temporal expression pattern of bFGF during the wound healing process.
- To explore the potential role of bFGF as a mediator in early wound repair.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was used to localize bFGF in skin biopsies from burn patients.
- Three antibodies were employed to detect extracellular bFGF staining patterns.
- Western immunoblots confirmed immunohistochemical findings and detected bFGF protein levels.
Main Results:
- Extracellular bFGF staining was intense in injured dermis between 4 and 11 days post-burn.
- bFGF staining decreased significantly by post-burn day 17, correlating with reepithelialization.
- bFGF was detected in both burned and unburned tissue, with specific localization in normal skin to capillary basement membranes and sweat glands.
Conclusions:
- Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a presynthesized mediator stored in tissues.
- bFGF is released locally upon injury and appears critical for early stages of wound healing.
- These findings support the hypothesis of bFGF's endogenous role in burn wound repair.