This study aims to improve the healing process and healing times of hypertrophic scars. The study could potentially improve the rate at which these wounds heal and on healing efficacy.
An anti-inflammatory molecule, Interleukin-10 (IL-10), will be used to enhance the gene expression of decorin. Decorin is the most highly expressed proteoglycan, a set of molecules that are essential for maintaining the mechanical strength of skin. Decorin promotes cell growth for healing the scar and assists in improving scar healing. Decorin also reduces inflammation by reducing the levels of granulation tissue. Decorin gene expression is down-regulated in hypertrophic scars, therefore negatively impacting on the wound healing process.
The IL-10 is expected to enhance decorin gene expression and increase the rate and efficacy of wound healing. This will be achieved by analysing the effect of different concentrations of IL-10 and/or decorin on the healing of wounds on rabbits. Such a study could pave the way in reducing post-operative wound infections, improving patient survival and reducing hospitalisation times. An improved wound healing treatment would have a far-reaching impact, due to the substantial number of patients developing scars in the Developed World per annum (estimated at 100 million).
