Acne Scars

J Cutan Pathol. 2009 Mar 6; Xie J, Qi S, Yuan J, Xu Y, Li T, Li H, Liu X, Shu B, Liang HBackground: 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 nude mouse model of hypertrophic scar was created and subjected to daily injections with ASODN and Lipofectamine for 2 ,4 or 6 weeks. We then examined the scars for changes in histopathological characteristics. The effects of ASODN on 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. Julin Xie, Shaohai Qi, Jishan Yuan, Yinbing Xu, Tianzeng Li, Houdong Li, Xusheng Liu, Bin Shu and Huizeng Liang.