Interferon Alfa-2b Suppresses Proliferative Scar (Hypertrophic Scar and Keloid) Fibroblast Contraction in Vitro
Purpose: An in vitro model of dermis was reconstituted by introducing fibroblasts on type I collagen gel. The model was maintained in culture to investigate the cellular behaviors of human dermal fibroblasts and proliferative scar fibroblasts. Increased fibroblast activity and collagen production have been observed frequently in proliferative scars. Previous studies have demonstrated that interferons suppress collagen production by means of normal, hypertrophic scars, and keloid-derived fibroblasts. We used the FPCL to evaluate the effect of interferon on fibroblasts harvested from normal human skin, human hypertrophic scars, and keloid tissues. Methods : Human recombinant interferon alfa-2b (IFNα-2b : 1000 IU/ml) was added to the culture media. The collagen gel was overlaid with 1 X 105 fibroblast cells. Results : The keloid FPCL showed the highest contraction. Contraction in all the groups appeared to be suppressed by IFNα-2b during the first 72 hours of the experiment (p<0.05). Conclusion : The contractile properties of fibroblasts taken from normal human skin, hypertrophic scars, and keloids in this in vitro study were suppressed by IFNα-2b. The contraction obtained in the interferon-treated keloid group was similar to the contraction obtained in the untreated normal skin. These findings suggest that IFNα-2b may be beneficial for the treatment of proliferative scars.
