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Collagen degradation in cultured keloid and hypertrophic scar tissue
Author(s) -
MILSOM J.P.,
CRAIG R.D.P.
Publication year - 1973
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1973.tb07591.x
Subject(s) - keloid , hypertrophic scar , medicine , university hospital , dermatology , surgery , general surgery
summary SUMMARY In order to study collagen catabolism of normal human skin, keloid and hypertrophic scars, explants of these tissues have been cultured for periods of up to 10 days. All three tissues released a similar amount of neutral collagenase activity into the culture medium with maximal yield between days 3 and 7, and the collagenase from scar tissues was found to be identical to the normal skin enzyme with regard to its inhibition by EDTA, cysteine and human serum. The major site of collagenase production in keloid specimens appeared to be, as in normal skin, the upper dermal or epidermal layer, with minimal production occurring in the lower fibrous or nodular areas. Prior to culture the collagen content of each tissue was found to be similar, with approximately 1%, of the total being acid‐soluble. During the culture period considerable amounts of insoluble tissue collagen were degraded in all three tissues, as judged by the release of hydroxyproline into the culture medium. These results suggest that the persistence of keloids and hypertrophic scars is attributable neither to an inability of the tissues to produce an active collagenase molecule nor to any resistance of the tissue collagen to degradation.