Expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA in porcine split-thickness wounds treated with epidermal growth factor by quantitative real-time PCR

Res Vet Sci. 2007 Jun;82(3):344-8. doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2006.09.008. Epub 2006 Nov 13.

Abstract

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) accelerates the re-epithelialization of damaged epidermal cell layers in a wound, so it especially shortens the duration of wound healing. The effect of EGF on pro-inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), levels during wound healing has not been reported. We investigated the relationship between exogenous EGF treatment and the expression of TNF-alpha and COX-2 mRNA in porcine split-thickness wounds by real-time PCR. Twenty split-thickness wounds were created on the back of five pigs. Fifteen wounds were treated twice daily with EGF ointments (1 microg/g, 10 microg/g, and 50 microg/g) for 10 days and five wounds were untreated. Healing time until full-epithelialization was evaluated. We performed a quantitative analysis of TNF-alpha and COX-2 mRNA expression in wound biopsies using real-time PCR. Topical application of 1 microg/g EGF accelerated re-epithelialization more than treatments of EGF at 10 microg/g and 50 microg/g, and no treatment. The levels of TNF-alpha and COX-2 mRNA were significantly greater in wounds treated with 1 microg/g than those with 10 microg/g and 50 microg/g EGF, and no treatment. Topical treatment of EGF influences the level of TNF-alpha and COX-2 mRNA within porcine split-thickness wounds. EGF-dependent slightly up-regulation of TNF-alpha and COX-2 mRNA expression during the inflammatory phase of healing may create an optimal molecular environment for wound healing.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 / genetics*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Epidermal Growth Factor / therapeutic use*
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Swine
  • Swine Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Swine Diseases / genetics*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / genetics*
  • Wound Healing / drug effects*
  • Wound Healing / genetics
  • Wounds and Injuries / drug therapy
  • Wounds and Injuries / genetics
  • Wounds and Injuries / veterinary

Substances

  • RNA, Messenger
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Epidermal Growth Factor
  • Cyclooxygenase 2