Thrombospondin receptor (CD36) expression of human keratinocytes during wound healing in a SCID mouse/human skin repair model

Using a human skin/severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) chimeric mouse model, we examined the keratinocyte expression of the thrombospondin receptor (CD36) and its ligand thrombospondin-1 (TSP1) in acute uninflamed wounds. Positive suprabasal keratinocyte expression of CD36 was observed as early as 30 minutes after wounding in the adjacent, intact epidermis; it disappeared 4 days later. Keratinocytes of the freshly re-epithelised wounds and those of the surrounding epidermis remained TSP1-negative throughout the whole observation period of 7 days. Our results indicate that CD36-positive keratinocytes, probably in connection with activated, TSP1-positive thrombocytes, may play an important role in the early phase of wound healing.