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.
Figures and Tables
![]() | Fig. 1Structures 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. 2Immunohistochemistry 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). |
![]() | Fig. 3Immunohistochemistry 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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