Epithelial regulation of mesenchymal tissue behavior.

ABSTRACT: Fibroproliferative scars are an important clinical problem, and yet the mechanisms that regulate scar formation remain poorly understood. This study explored the hypothesis that the epithelium has a critical role in dictating scar formation, and that these interactions differ in skin and mucosa. Paired skin and vaginal mucosal wounds on New Zealand white (NZW) rabbits diverged significantly; the cutaneous epithelium exhibited a greater and prolonged response to injury when compared with the mucosa. Microarray analysis of the injured epithelium was performed, and numerous factors were identified that were more strongly upregulated in skin, including several proinflammatory cytokines and profibrotic growth factors. Analysis of the underlying mesenchymal tissue demonstrated a fibrotic respons

SUBMITTER: Gallant-Behm CL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3137131 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature