Low Baseline Expression of Fibrotic Genes in an Ex Vivo Human Skin Model is a Potential Indicator of Excessive Skin Scarring.

Abstract

An ex vivo model of skin fibrosis was used with abdominal and breast skin tissue from 45 patients undergoing breast reduction and/or abdominoplasty. Fibrosis was induced in skin explants in organ culture with transforming growth factor-β (TFGβ). Fibrotic gene response was assessed via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and correlated with skin location, age, and baseline levels of fibrotic genes. The increase in TFGβ-induced fibronectin1 (FN1) gene expression in skin explants was significantly higher than for Collagen 1A1, alpha smooth muscle actin, and connective tissue growth factor. Also, FN1 expression positively correlated with donor age. Moreover, lower expression of the fibrotic genes FN1, Collagen 1A1, and alpha smooth muscle actin correlated with a more pronounced fibrotic response, represented by higher induction levels of these genes. Skin sites exhibit different baseline levels of profibrotic genes. Further, low baseline expression levels of fibrotic genes FN1, Collagen 1A1, and alpha smooth muscle actin, in donor skin may indicate a potential for excessive scarring of the skin.