Immunohistochemical analysis of Fas protein expression in hypertrophic scar and keloid.

OBJECTIVE

To find an efficient diagnostic method of hypertrophic scar and keloid.

METHODS

Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect the expression and distribution of Fas protein in keloids, hypertrophic scars and their surrounding normal skins. Image analysis was performed to quantitatively compare the differences of the protein expression in these tissues.

RESULTS

The expression level of Fas antigen was much higher in the keloids and their surrounding normal skins than in hypertrophic scars, and no significant difference in the expression level between the former 2 tissues was found. In hypertrophic scars, however, much lower Fas protein expression was detected in comparison with that in their surrounding normal skins(P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Immunohistochemical detection of Fas protein is a simple method that is well applicable in the differential diagnosis of pathological scars.