mRNA relative expression of cancer associated fibroblasts markers in Keloid scars

Background: Keloid stromal activities showed similarity with the tumor in terms of activation of fibroblasts. Fibroblasts are activated into active proliferated myofibroblasts and also increase the extracellular matrix expression. The activated fibroblasts may have similar characteristics with CAFs. CAFs are stromal cells in cancer which are play important role in cancer growth and invasiveness. Keloid fibroblasts (KFs) are thought to have similar characteristics with CAFs because their high activity, but their similar characteristics are not fully understood. Here, we conducted a relative mRNA expression analysis of CAFs markers, including α-SMA and FAP. α-SMA involves in production of extracellular matrix and contraction of tissue. FAP associates with growth and development of keloid. α-SMA and FAP are known as markers of CAFs. This study analyzed the expression of α-SMA and FAP in activated fibroblast of keloid tissue compared to normal skin tissue. Methods: Total RNA was extracted from dermal margin of keloid samples and from dermal preputial skin samples as control. α-SMA and FAP mRNA expression were determined by qRT-PCR using Livak method. Results: The result revealed that FAP and α-SMA mRNA expression was higher in keloid compared to preputial skin (p<0, 05). Conclusion: Fibroblasts in keloid tissue showed similarities with CAFs which indicated by higher expression of -SMA and FAP compared to normal tissue.