Adult mammalian wounds leave visible scars, whereas skin wounds in developing mouse fetuses are scarless until a certain point in development when complete regeneration occurs, including the structure of the dermis and skin appendages. Analysis of the molecular mechanisms at this transition will provide clues for achieving scarless wound healing. The fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family is a key regulator of inflammation and fibrosis during wound healing. We aimed to determine the expression and role of FGF family members in fetal wound healing. ICR mouse fetuses were surgically wounded at embryonic day 13 (E13), E15, and E17. Expression of FGF family members and FGF receptor (FGFR) in tissue samples from these fetuses was evaluated using in situ hybridization and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Fgfr1 was downregulated in E15 and E17 wounds, and its ligand Fgf7 was upregulated in E13 and downregulated in E15 and E17. Recombinant FGF7 administration in E15 wounds suppressed fibrosis and promoted epithelialization at the wound site. Therefore, the expression level of Fgf7 may correlate with scar formation in late mouse embryos, and external administration of FGF7 may represent a therapeutic option to suppress fibrosis and reduce scarring.
Keywords: fibroblast growth factor; fibrosis; mouse; scar; skin regeneration.