Extracellular matrix expression by equine oral and limb fibroblasts in in vitro culture

Wounds on the limbs of horses are notoriously difficult to heal, with over production of TGFβ1 thought to be responsible for excessive scarring; in contrast, wounds in the oral cavity heal rapidly with minimal scarring. This experiment aimed to determine the effect of TGFβ1 on the production of mRNA and proteins for various extracellular matrix components by two equine fibroblast cell lines isolated from the oral mucosa and distal limb. Fibronectin mRNA was up-regulated by TGFβ1 in the limb but not the oral cells. TGFβ1 increased the ratio of mRNA for collagen types I–III for the oral cells only. mRNA expression for TGFβ receptors-I and -II was significantly lower in limb fibroblasts, and treatment of either cell line with TGFβ1 down-regulated mRNA expression for both receptors. These differences may account for the improved healing seen in oral wounds compared to the excessive scarring seen in limb wounds.