Antisense CTGF inhibits the expression of CTGF in hypertrophic scar of rabbit ears

Abstract

Objective To investigate a medicine which can inhibit the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in hypertrophic scar of rabbit ears. Methods 24 bigears white rabbits were used to establish a model of hypertrophic scar of rabbit ears, which was randomly divided into four groups. The hypertrophic scar was injected intralesionally with antisense CTGF (group A), betamethason (group B), triamcinolone acetonide (group C) and physiological saline (group D). Some scar tissue samples were sectioned in every group when the scar was treated after 7, 14, 30, and 60 days, respectively. The expression of CTGF mRNA in the scar was assessed by in situ hybridization and hematoxylin and eosin stain (HE stain) in every samples. Results The expression of CTGF mRNA and the counting of fibroblasts decreased in group A, which showed statistical difference as compared with groups B, C and D. Conclusions The results suggesz that antisense CTGF is able to inhibit the proliferation process of hypertrophic scar in rabbit ears and to remarkably decrease the degree of fiborsis in the scar. Key words: Antisense connective tissue growth factor; Connective tissue growth factor; Rabbit ear; Hyertrophic scar; Image analysis