Up-regulation of α<sub>1</sub>-adrenoceptors in burn and keloid scars.

Drummond, Peter D; Dawson, Linda F; Wood, Fiona M; Fear, Mark W · Burns · 2018

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Stimulation of α<sub>1</sub>-adrenoceptors evokes inflammatory cytokine production, boosts neurogenic inflammation and pain, and influences cellular migration and proliferation. Hence, these receptors may play a role both in normal and abnormal wound healing. To investigate this, the distribution of α<sub>1</sub>-adrenoceptors in skin biopsies of burn scars (N=17), keloid scars (N=12) and unscarred skin (N=17) was assessed using immunohistochemistry. Staining intensity was greater on vascular smooth muscle in burn scars than in unscarred tissue, consistent with heightened expression of α<sub>1</sub>-adrenoceptors. In addition, expression of α<sub>1</sub>-adrenoceptors was greater on dermal nerve fibres, blood vessels and fibroblasts in keloid scars than in either burn scars or unscarred skin. These findings suggest that increased vascular expression of α<sub>1</sub>-adrenoceptors could alter circulatory dynamics both in burn and keloid scars. In addition, the augmented expression of α<sub>1</sub>-adrenoceptors in keloid tissue may contribute to processes that produce or maintain keloid scars, and might be a source of the uncomfortable sensations often associated with these scars.

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