Skin endothelial cell and microcirculation function study in recurred keloids patients after keloid surgery and radiotherapy

Keloid is a type of benign tumor of the skin with abnormal proliferation of fibrous tissue. We sought to observe the changes in skin microcirculation and endothelial cell function around the recurred keloid and explore the skin microcirculation characters in recurred keloid patients. METHODS: Six patients with recurred keloid were treated with keloid surgery and radiotherapy for the second time. Microcirculation of recurred keloids and their surrounding normal skin tissue was observed with laser Doppler flowmeter before operation. Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), CD31, and HIF-1α were identified by several assay. RESULTS: The local blood flow of group RN was enhanced. The average strength of group N is 0.87. The average strength of group RN is 2.08. The expression of VEGF, CD31, and hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) protein in the keloid-recurred skin (RN) group was higher than the normal skin group via immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blotting analysis. The relative expression of VEGF and CD31 mRNA was significantly increased in RN group samples (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: There are significant differences in the expression of VEGF, CD31, and HIF-1α in the recurred keloid skin after radiotherapy and normal skin. They may be used as potential biomarkers and targets for future research on keloid recurrence.