Effect of Hepatocyte Growth Factor on Gene Expression of Extracellular Matrix during Wound Healing of the Injured Rat Vocal Fold

Abstract

We performed a prospective, sham-controlled animal study to investigate the effects of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) manipulation of the extracellular matrix on vocal fold gene expression during acute injury. Bilateral vocal fold wounds were created in 40 rats. The rats were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups (sham treatment or HGF treatment) and received treatment of the injured area at the time of wounding and on alternate posttreatment days. The injured vocal fold specimens were harvested on post-treatment days 1, 3, 7, and 14. We used real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction to quantify messenger RNA expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1, procollagen types I and III, hyaluronan synthase (HAS)-1, HAS-2, and HAS-3. A multivariate analysis of variance revealed a significant interaction between treatment group and post-treatment day for TGF-beta1, procollagen type I, procollagen type III, and HAS-2. Post hoc testing revealed significantly lower expression of procollagen type III and significantly higher expression of HAS-2 on post-treatment day 14 in the HGF treatment group than in the sham treatment group. Results provide evidence of HGF treatment effects on procollagen type III and HAS-2 gene expression pathways.