J Korean Surg Soc.  2010 Jul;79(1):1-7. 10.4174/jkss.2010.79.1.1.

Immunohistochemical Expression of Stem Cell Markers during the Wound Healing Process of Cutaneous Burn

• Choi YH
• Kim MG
• Ahn DH
• Cho SJ
• Hong SH
• Lee JY
• Lee JW
• Kim HS

• KMID: 1455480
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4174/jkss.2010.79.1.1

Abstract

PURPOSE
A cutaneous wound healing requires a well-orchestrated integration of the complex biological and molecular events of cell migration and proliferation, extracellular matrix deposition, angiogenesis and remodeling. Finally, skin regeneration is the main goal. Stem cells are self-renewing multipotent progenitors with the broadest developmental potential in a given tissue at a given time. The aim of this study was to examine the role of stem cells during the wound healing process of cutaneous burn in hairless mice by using immunohistochemical stainings (nestin, cytokeratin 15 and CD31).
METHODS
Each mouse received 2 burns at the dorsal area by applying a metal stick heated in boiling water. Burn wound sites were dressed with duoderm. The mice were sacrificed at 0, 2, 7, 14 and 21 days after burn. Histological findings and immunohistochemical expression for stem cell markers were observed.
RESULTS
Nestin was expressed in the stromal cells beneath the epidermis, hair follices, dermal cysts and endothelial cells. Cytokeratin 15 was expressed in the epidermis except in basal cells. On 7 and 14 days after burn, the regenerated epidermis didn't express cytokeratin 15. CD31 was expressed in the endothelial cells on 7 and 14 days after burn. The amount of nestin expression was the highest.
CONCLUSION
Our results showed that nestin may have various effects on burn wound healing. Cytokeratin 15 was expressed before burn and after burn. It is likely that other cytokeratin may stimulate epithelial regeneration. CD31 may act in vascular regeneration during burn healing.

Keyword

Hairless mouse; Burn; Wound healing; Stem cell

MeSH Terms

Animals
Bandages, Hydrocolloid
Burns
Cell Movement
Endothelial Cells
Epidermis
Extracellular Matrix
Hair
Hot Temperature
Intermediate Filament Proteins
Keratin-15
Keratins
Mice
Mice, Hairless
Nerve Tissue Proteins
Regeneration
Skin
Stem Cells
Stromal Cells
Water
Wound Healing
Intermediate Filament Proteins
Keratin-15
Keratins
Nerve Tissue Proteins
Water

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Structures of normal and burned skin in hairless mice. (A) Normal skin showed the epidermis and dermis. (B) After burn, epidermis and most dermis were damaged. However, the lower part of dermal cyst was still intact as second-degree burn wound demonstrated (H&E, ×40).

• 

  Fig. 2 Immunohistochemistry for nestin. Expression of nestin protein is present in the cells below the epidermis (A), the outer cells of epidermal cyst (B) and endothelial cells of the granulation tissue (C).

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  Fig. 3 Immunohistochemistry for cytokeratin 15. Expression of cytokeratin 15 is present in suptrabasal area of epidermis (A). At 7 days after burn, the expression of cytokeratin 15 was not present in regenerated epidermis (arrow).

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  Fig. 4 Immunohistochemistry for CD31. Expression of CD31 is present in endothelial cells in 7 days after burn.

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