COLLAGENASE-1 AND COLLAGEN IN EPIDERMAL REPAIR

An invariable feature of wounded skin, whether a normally healing or c hronic lesion, is the expression of collagenase-1 by migrating basal k eratinocytes, Collagenase-1 is a member of the matrix metalloproteinas e family of enzymes and is the principal human enzyme which cleaves na tive fibrillar collagen. Following injury, basal keratinocytes move fr om the basement membrane and interact with new connective tissue prote ins in the dermis and wound bed. Contact with native type I collagen, the most abundant protein in the dermis, induces expression of collage nase-1. This metalloproteinase cleaves collagen, thereby altering its structure and, hence, the affinity to which cells bind it. Thus, colla genase-1 serves a beneficial role in wound healing by facilitating the movement of keratinocytes over the collagen-rich dermis during reepit helialization.