Open AccessIn‐depth examination of hyperproliferative healing in two breeds of Sus scrofa domesticus commonly used for research
Author(s) -
Funkhouser Colton H.,
Kirkpatrick Liam D.,
Smith Robert D.,
Moffatt Lauren T.,
Shupp Jeffrey W.,
Carney Bonnie C.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
animal models and experimental medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2576-2095
DOI - 10.1002/ame2.12188
Subject(s) - wound healing , scars , immunostaining , hypertrophic scar , pathology , phenotype , medicine , gene expression , gene , biology , immunohistochemistry , surgery , genetics
Background Wound healing can result in various outcomes, including hypertrophic scar (HTS). Pigs serve as models to study wound healing as their skin shares physiologic similarity with humans. Yorkshire (Yk) and Duroc (Dc) pigs have been used to mimic normal and abnormal wound healing, respectively. The reason behind this differential healing phenotype was explored here. Methods Excisional wounds were made on Dc and Yk pigs and were sampled and imaged for 98 days. PCR arrays were used to determine differential gene expression. Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) scores were given. Re‐epithelialization was analyzed. H&E, Mason's trichrome, and immunostains were used to determine cellularity, collagen content, and blood vessel density, respectively. Results Yk wounds heal to a “port wine” HTS, resembling scarring in Fitzpatrick skin types (FST) I‐III. Dc wounds heal to a dyspigmented, non‐pliable HTS, resembling scarring in FST IV–VI. Gene expression during wound healing was differentially regulated versus uninjured skin in 40/80 genes, 15 of which differed between breeds. Yk scars had a higher VSS score at all time points. Yk and Dc wounds had equivalent re‐epithelialization, collagen disorganization, and blood vessel density. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate that Dc and Yk pigs can produce HTS. Wound creation and healing were consistent among breeds, and differences in gene expression were not sufficient to explain differences in resulting scar phenotype. Both pig breeds should be used in animal models to investigate novel therapeutics to provide insight into a treatment's effectiveness on various skin types.