Objective: To investigate the pathophysiology of radiation-induced wounds of the head and neck at a molecular level.
Study design: Basic science, prospective study.
Setting: The study was conducted at the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Ruprecht Karls-University Heidelberg, Faculty of Medicine Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany.
Subjects and methods: Keratinocytes from chronic nonhealing ulcers in irradiated areas as well as from healthy skin areas in the same patients (n = 3) were harvested during surgical procedures and isolated in cell culture. First, a proliferation assay was performed. Gene expression was analyzed by microarray, protein expression by immunohistochemistry.
Results: Keratinocytes from radiogenic wounds showed a shift from the high molecular keratins 1 and 10 to the low molecular keratins 5 and 14 compared to normal control skin. Keratinocytes from nonhealing wounds showed a decreased expression of transforming growth factor alpha and beta 1, fibroblast growth factor 1 and 2, keratinocyte growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, and hepatocyte growth factor. The matrix metalloproteinases 2, 12, and 13 showed increased expression in irradiated keratinocytes and fibroblasts.
Conclusion: Our data showed a change of keratinocytes to a less differentiated state due to radiation. Additionally, it seems that radiation-induced dermal injuries often fail to heal because of decreased proliferation, impaired angiogenesis, and persistently high concentrations of matrix metalloproteinases.
Copyright 2010 American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.