Nerve distiribution in keloids and hypertrophic scars.

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K18430
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 56070:Plastic and reconstructive surgery-related
• Research Institution: Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital(First Clinical Division, Second Clinical Division, Third
• Principal Investigator: MATSUZOE HARUKA 地方独立行政法人神戸市民病院機構神戸市立医療センター中央市民病院(第1診療部、第2診療部、第3診療部, 中央市民病院, 副医長 (70814721)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: ケロイド / 肥厚性瘢痕 / 異常知覚 / 組織解析 / 遺伝子発現解析

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we will examine the distribution of nerve fibers and the expression of nerve-related proteins in keloids and hypertrophic scars. The purpose of this study is to clarify the relationship between the localization of nerves in the tissues and symptoms such as itching and pain.
In the past two years, we have secured keloids and normal skin tissues with the cooperation of the sample donors after explaining them thoroughly. We analyzed the expression of nerve-related protein genes by real-time PCR and　immunohistological staining in two keloid and two normal skin samples. PGP9.5 expression was higher in keloid tissues than in normal skin tissues, and PGP9.5-positive nerve fibers extending into the epidermis were observed. This may be associated with dysregulated abnormal perception.

Free Research Field

形成外科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

これまでのケロイド・肥厚性瘢痕の病態解明に向けた研究は、線維芽細胞様細胞の増殖やアポトーシス、細胞外マトリックスの蓄積や炎症性細胞などの観点から行われており、異常知覚を含めた神経の観点での詳細な報告はない。さらに検体数を増やしケロイド・肥厚性瘢痕組織内における神経関連タンパクの発現や神経局在を検討することでケロイド・肥厚性瘢痕の病態解明の糸口を発見し、いずれは新たな治療法の確立につなげたい。