Effects of antisense oligodeoxynucleotide to type I collagen gene on hypertrophic scars in the transplanted nude mouse model.

BACKGROUND

Antisense nucleic acids are effective in inhibiting harmful or uncontrolled gene expression. We had previously proved that the antisense DNA to type I collagen could effectively inhibit the synthesis of collagen type I in cultured hypertrophic scar fibroblasts, suggesting a potential role in anti-scarring, but there are no published reports of its effect on scar in the transplanted nude mouse model.

AIMS: To investigate the effects of antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ASODN) to type I collagen gene on hypertrophic scars in the transplanted nude mouse model and clarify the potential of ASODN for the treatment of scars.

METHODS

The nudemousemodel of hypertrophic scar was created and subjected to daily injections with ASODN and LipofectamineTM for 2 ,4 or 6 weeks.We then examined the scars for changes in histopathological characteristics. The effects of ASODNon type I collagen gene expression were examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blots.

RESULTS

The ASODN could remarkably alleviate the scar in the nude mouse model and consistently inhibit type I collagen gene expression at both the mRNA and protein levels.

CONCLUSION

ASODN was effective in downregulating type I collagen gene expression and could prove to be useful in the treatment of scars.