The anti-scar effects of bfgf-derivedoligopeptides on the wound repair in vivo

Hypertrophic scars (HTS) and keloids are challenging problems. Their pathogenesis results from an
overproduction offibroblasts and excessive deposition of collagen. Studies suggest a possible antiscarring effect of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) during wound healing, but the direct
application of bFGF still has many weaknesses. In view of this, we synthesized and investigated the
therapeutic effects of bFGF-derived oligopeptides (pFGF) on HTS animal model as well as human
scar fibroblasts (HSF) model. We show that pFGF promoted wound healing and reduced the area of
flattened non-pathological scars in mouse skin wounds. We provide evidence of a new therapeutic
strategy: pFGF administration for the treatment of HTS. The scar elevation index (SEI) and epidermal
thickness index (ETI) was also significantly reduced. Histological reveal that pFGF exhibited
significant amelioration of the collagen tissue. The levels of fibronectin (FN), tissue inhibitor of
metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) collagen I, and collagen III were evidently decreased. These results
suggest that pFGF possesses favorable therapeutic effects on hypertrophic scars in vivo, which may
be an effective cure for human hypertrophic scars.