Expression of oncoproteins c-fos and c-jun in hypertrophic scars and chronic dermal ulcers and their regulation of basic fibroblast growth factor.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the characteristics of oncoprotein expression of c-fos and c-jun in hypertrophic scars and chronic dermal ulcers and their regulation of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF).

METHODS

Tissues of hypertrophic scars (n = 8), chronic dermal ulcers (n = 8) and normal skin (n = 5) were taken from 21 patients with burns and chronic dermal ulcers in operation. The ABC immunohistochemical method was used to characterize the gene product expression of c-fos, c-jun and bFGF in the above tissues.

RESULTS

In normal skin, both c-fos and c-jun protein expression and bFGF protein expression were observed. The signals of both oncoproteins were localized mainly in subcutaneous fibroblasts, but, positive expression of the bFGF protein was mainly in keratinocytes. In hypertrophic scars, positive expression of both oncoproteins could be found mainly in fibroblasts, but bFGF was mainly in fibroblasts and endothelial cells. In chronic dermal ulcers, endothelial cells, some of inflammatory cells and fibroblasts were positive for both of oncoproteins, but the expression of bFGF was only seen in fibroblasts and endothelial cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that the interaction between both oncoproteins and bFGF exists, and the regulating action between protooncogenes and bFGF is a major course in wound healing. The different expressions of c-fos and c-jun gene products play an important role in regulate bFGF action, thus affecting wound healing.