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Clinical Research
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Gene Expression Profiling in Acute Wound Healing First Author: Jengyu Lai Authors: Jengyu Lai, DPM, Yan W. Asmann, PhD, Karen A. Squillace, and Mark R. Pittelkow, MD To more effectively treat chronic ulcers, a better understanding of the normal wound healing process is required. This study was designed to comprehensively profile gene expression patterns during wound healing. The complete wound healing-closure program was examined in individual human subjects. Four healthy volunteers were recruited and consented. Four 3-mm punch biopsies were performed on the lower calf of each subject and the skin specimens were collected as control. One, 3, 10, and 14 days after wounding, one wound was collected by performing a 5-mm punch biopsy. Total RNA extracted from specimens was used in genetic studies with Affymetrix HG-U133 Plus 2.0 GeneChip arrays. Genes whose expressions were changed greater than 4-fold at at least one time point were clustered into 5 groups. Group 1 genes were down regulated initially and remained down, and included TIMP 3, epiregulin, and loricrin. Group 2 genes were upregulated then coming down, and included keratins 6/16/17, interleukin 8, MMPs 1/3/9, and TIMP 1. Group 3 genes were downregulated then back to normal or higher, and included PDGF receptor like protein and decorin. Group 4 genes were unchanged initially then upregulated, and included fibronectin, MMP2, and fibroblast activation protein. Group 5 genes were downregulated then upregulated, and included collagens V/VI and zinc finger protein 42. These findings will be further analyzed to correlate the expression patterns with their functions. We also intend to compare the gene expression patterns of non-healing ulcers to identify gene products that could be utilized to develop better treatment modalities. |
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