ENDOGENOUS TGF-BETA-1 AND TGF-BETA-2 ARE NOT ESSENTIAL FOR EPITHELIALIZATION AND NEOVASCULARIZATION IN THE HAIRLESS MOUSE EAR WOUND MODEL

Background and Aims: TGF-beta stimulates neovascularization and epithe lialization in healing wounds, yet relatively little is known about th e mechanisms involved. Using the hairless mouse ear wound model, we st udied the effects endogenous TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 2 have on epithel ialization and neovascularization following the application of neutral izing antibodies. Material and Methods: Forty-three adult male hairles s mice had an excisional wound made on the dorsum of each ear. Using v ital microscopy, epithelialization and neovascularization were measure d every third day until completion. TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 2 antibody , control-IgG, or phosphate buffered saline (PBS) were applied to the wounds. Results and Conclusions: Excisional wounds treated with anti-T GF-beta 1 and anti-TGF-beta 2, IgGcontrol IgG, and PBS epithelialized in 11.2 +/- 0.5 days (N = 22), 10.9 +/- 0.6 days (N = 17), and 10.6 +/ - 0.6 days (N = 15), respectively and neovascularized in 27.9 +/- 0.5 days (N = 17), 27.1 +/- 0.8 days (N = 14), and 26.1 +/- 0.8 days (N = 10), respectively (mean +/- SEM). There were no significant difference s in time to epithelialization and neovascularization between the thre e groups. Furthermore, there were no differences in the average time c ourse of epithelialization and neovascularization between the three gr oups throughout the healing process. We conclude that endogenous TGF-b eta 1 and TGF-beta 2 are not essential for epithelialization and neova scularization in the hairless mouse ear wound model.