134 Evaluation of Alterations in Gene Expression in Normal and Diabetic Mice Resulting from Dermal Injury

C57Bl/6‐db/db mice are a model of delayed healing after full thickness dermal excision injury. We evaluated the differences in gene expression between C57Bl/6 mice and C57Bl/6‐db/db mice in uninjured skin and within a wound 7 days after injury and observed a number of differences resulting from the diabetic mutation. Cluster analysis indicated differences in genes involved in all structural organization and metabolism. There were 718 genes that had greater than 2 fold difference between these 2 strains of mice in granulation tissue at day 7. In normal and diabetic mice, 884 or 765 genes were altered 2 fold by injury (granulation tissue), respectively. When compared at the 4 fold level, the overlap of genes altered between normal and diabetic mice was approximately 68%. In granulation tissue, changes were observed in genes associated with inflammation, immune response, cell motility, and response to external stimuli. Normal mice had greater immune, stress, inflammatory, and biotic responses. Wounds of diabetic mice had increased responses in energy metabolism and fatty acid metabolism. These data provide a basis for further understanding of the response of skin to injury and the delay that occurs in insulin resistant Type 2 diabetes.