Arch Plast Surg.  2018 Sep;45(5):403-410. 10.5999/aps.2018.00101.

Development of an easy-to-handle murine model for the characterization of radiation-induced gross and molecular changes in skin

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Institute for Human Tissue Restoration Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. xyphoss@yuhs.ac
  • 2Department of Radiation Oncology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Radiation-induced skin injury is a dose-limiting complication of radiotherapy. To investigate this problem and to develop a framework for making decisions on treatment and dose prescription, a murine model of radiation-induced skin injury was developed.
METHODS
The dorsal skin of the mice was isolated, and irradiation was applied at single doses of 15, 30, and 50 Gy. The mice were followed for 12 weeks with serial photography and laser Doppler analysis. Sequential skin biopsy samples were obtained and subjected to a histological analysis, immunostaining against transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), and Western blotting with Wnt-3 and β-catenin. Increases in the levels of TGF-β, Wnt, and β-catenin were detected after irradiation.
RESULTS
All tested radiation doses caused progressive dermal thickening and fibrosis. The cause of this process, however, may not be radiation alone, as the natural course of wound healing may elicit a similar response. The latent appearance of molecular and histological markers that induce fibrosis in the 15 Gy group without causing apparent gross skin injuries indicates that 15 Gy is an appropriate dose for characterizing the effects of chronic irradiation alone. Thus, this model best mimics the patterns of injury that occur in human subjects.
CONCLUSIONS
This animal model can be used to elucidate the gross and molecular changes that occur in radiation-induced skin injury and provides an effective platform for studying this adverse effect without complicating the process of wound healing.

Keyword

Radiation; Wound and injuries; Skin; Mice

MeSH Terms

Animals
Biopsy
Blotting, Western
Fibrosis
Humans
Mice
Models, Animal
Photography
Prescriptions
Radiotherapy
Skin*
Transforming Growth Factor beta
Wound Healing
Transforming Growth Factor beta
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