We evaluated the effectiveness of
transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta(1) on
wound contraction, both alone and in combination with
collagen matrix, using an in vivo delayed wound healing type model. To clarify the mechanisms involved in the effectiveness of TGF-beta(1), we also used a fibroblast-populated
collagen gel contraction in vitro model. Although we found that TGF-beta(1) significantly accelerated contraction of the fibroblast-populated
collagen gel in vitro, we demonstrated that both
collagen matrix alone and 1.0 microg of TGF-beta(1) alone significantly inhibited
wound contraction in the in vivo model. In addition, the combination of TGF-beta(1) and
collagen matrix was much more effective than TGF-beta(1) alone, a finding which was supported by histopathological examination.
Wounds treated with
collagen matrix containing TGF-beta(1) showed horizontal rearrangement of
collagen fibers in the dermal part as well as evidence of active fibroblast proliferation, which was not observed in the
scar regions of controls. These results show that the application of TGF-beta(1) treated
collagen matrix is effective for preventing contraction producing so called "neodermis" in treating a delayed healing type model and may be highly beneficial for treating chronic
wounds.