Updated 3/2017-- photos and all links removed as many are no longer active and it was easier than checking each one.
A keloid scar is the result of an abnormal proliferation of scar tissue that forms at the site of an injury to the skin (eg, on the site of a surgical incision or trauma). Keloid scars do not regress. They grow beyond the original margins of the scar which differs from hypertrophic scars which while raised do not grow beyond the boundaries of the original wound. Hypertrophic scars may reduce over time.
Keloid scars tend to recur after excision so anything that can help me prevent their formation is welcome.
I stumbled across this press release a few weeks ago. It explains the findings published in the article (first reference below) published online January 21, 2011in the British Journal of Dermatology which notes a possible molecular target in the prevention of keloid scarring.
Collagen triple helix repeat containing-1 protein (CTHRC1) inhibits the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-stimulated collagen production that occurs in keloid scar formation, report researchers."Keloids are manifestations of an abnormal process of tissue repair after trauma to the skin. Options for treatment are limited because of lack of understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms governing the formation," explain Hongxiang Chen (Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China) and colleagues."Increased understanding of the role of TGF-β signaling in keloids makes manipulation of TGF-β an attractive therapeutic strategy," they say.CTHRC1 is expressed in the adventitia and neointima on arterial injury. Chen and team assessed regulation of the CTHRC1 gene, its interaction with TGF-β1, and its possible role in keloid scar formation in fibroblast cells from keloid tissue and normal skin.TGF-β1 and CTHRC1 were localized to the dermis in both normal and keloid skin fibroblasts. Expression of both factors were increased in keloid compared with normal skin and CTHRC1 appeared to increase in a TGF-β1 concentration-dependent manner.When keloid fibroblasts were treated with TGF-β1 (10 ng/ml), cell proliferation increased dramatically, specifically, collagen type I synthesis was preferentially stimulated.However, when recombinant CTHRC1 was added to the TGF-β1-treated keloid cells, the proliferation effect was reversed and excess collagen synthesis was inhibited.Notably, treatment with recombinant CTHRC1 appeared to have no adverse effects on cell viability."Our data indicated that TGF-β1 was overexpressed in keloid fibroblasts and recombinant CTHRC1 could reverse TGF-β1-induced collagen type I expression at least in part by decreasing collagen synthesis," conclude the authors."As a potent negative regulator of collagen matrix deposition, CTHRC1 may have therapeutic value in antifibrotic treatment strategies," they suggest.
It would be nice if someday this research lead to a “prevention” therapy.
Related posts:
Scars and Their Therapy – an Article Review (January 21, 2009)
Fluorouracil Treatment of Problematic Scars – an Article Review (April 1, 2009)
Scar Scales and Measuring Devices (September 8, 2010)
REFERENCES
1. Collagen triple helix repeat containing 1 inhibits TGF-β1-induced collagen type I expression in keloid; J. Li, J. Cao, M. Li, Y. Yu, Y. Yang, X. Xiao, Z. Wu, L. Wang, Y. Tu, H. Chen; British Journal of Dermatology, January 2011, DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2011.10215.x
2. Treatment of a Postburn Keloid Scar with Topical Captopril: Report of the First Case; Ardekani, Gholamreza Safaee; Aghaie, Shahin; Nemati, Mohammad Hassan; Handjani, Farhad; Kasraee, Behrooz; Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. 123(3):112e-113e, March 2009; doi: 10.1097/PRS.0b013e31819a34db
3. Correction: Treatment of a Postburn Keloid Scar with Topical Captopril: Report of the First Case; Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. 123(6):1898, June 2009; doi: 10.1097/PRS.0b013e3181abc4b4
4. Keloid and Hypertrophic Scar; eMedicine article, May 2010; Brian Berman, MD, PhD, Whitney Valins, Sadegh Amini, MD, Martha H Viera, MD
5. Wound Healing, Keloids; eMedicine article, June 26, 2009; R Edward Newsome, MD, Ravi Tandon, MD, Robert P Bolling, MD, MPH, Alun R Wang, MD, PhD, David A Jansen, MD
2 comments:
Oh boy keloids are maddening! It will be fabulous to one day have a good, reliable method of controlling with them. Until then, it's more painful cortisone injections and silicone gel dressings. Seems so stone age doesn't it?
Invitation to Join Keloid Research Foundation :
Established in 2011 by Dr. Michael H. Tirgan, the KRF is a non for profit medical research and educational organization. The mission of KRF is to foster scientific research in keloid disorder and to promote education, advocacy, and service to those who suffer from this disorder.
For More Information please visit:
http://www.keloidresearchfoundation.org/
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