Expression of tumor necrosis factor-α and cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA in porcine split-thickness wounds treated with epidermal growth factor by quantitative real-time PCR

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) accelerates the re-epithelialization of damaged epidermal cell layers in a wound, so it especially shortens the duration of wound healing. The effect of EGF on pro-inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), levels during wound healing has not been reported. We investigated the relationship between exogenous EGF treatment and the expression of TNF-α and COX-2 mRNA in porcine split-thickness wounds by real-time PCR. Twenty split-thickness wounds were created on the back of five pigs. Fifteen wounds were treated twice daily with EGF ointments (1 μg/g, 10 μg/g, and 50 μg/g) for 10 days and five wounds were untreated. Healing time until full-epithelialization was evaluated. We performed a quantitative analysis of TNF-α and COX-2 mRNA expression in wound biopsies using real-time PCR. Topical application of 1 μg/g EGF accelerated re-epithelialization more than treatments of EGF at 10 μg/g and 50 μg/g, and no treatment. The levels of TNF-α and COX-2 mRNA were significantly greater in wounds treated with 1 μg/g than those with 10 μg/g and 50 μg/g EGF, and no treatment. Topical treatment of EGF influences the level of TNF-α and COX-2 mRNA within porcine split-thickness wounds. EGF-dependent slightly up-regulation of TNF-α and COX-2 mRNA expression during the inflammatory phase of healing may create an optimal molecular environment for wound healing.