RNA sequencing keloid transcriptome associates keloids with Th2, Th1, Th17/Th22 and JAK3-skewing

In this study, we aimed to elucidate the profile of lesional and non-lesional keloid skin compared to normal skin. We performed gene (RNAseq, qRT-PCR) and protein (immunohistochemistry) expression analyses on biopsy specimens obtained from lesional and non-lesional skin of African American (AA) keloid patients compared to healthy skin from AA controls. We found that lesional versus normal skin showed significant up-regulation of markers of T-cell activation/migration (ICOS, CCR7), Th2- (IL-4R, CCL11, TNFSF4/OX40L), Th1- (CXCL9/CXCL10/CXCL11), Th17/Th22- (CCL20, S100As) pathways, and JAK/STAT-signaling (JAK3) (false-discovery rate [FDR]<0.05). African American patients and healthy controls were recruited under institutional review board-approved protocols. Biopsy specimens (6 mm) were collected from lesional and non-lesional skin of keloid patients, and from healthy control skin.

本研究旨在阐明瘢痕疙瘩病变皮肤、非病变皮肤与正常皮肤的表达谱特征。我们针对从非裔美国（African American, AA）瘢痕疙瘩患者的病变与非病变皮肤，以及非裔美国健康对照的正常皮肤中获取的活检标本，开展了基因（RNA测序（RNAseq）、定量实时聚合酶链反应（qRT-PCR））与蛋白质（免疫组织化学）表达分析。研究发现，相较于正常皮肤，瘢痕疙瘩病变皮肤的T细胞活化/迁移标志物（ICOS、CCR7）、Th2通路（IL-4R、CCL11、TNFSF4/OX40L）、Th1通路（CXCL9/CXCL10/CXCL11）、Th17/Th22通路（CCL20、S100As）以及JAK/STAT信号通路（JAK3）均显著上调（错误发现率（false-discovery rate, FDR）<0.05）。本研究按照机构审查委员会批准的方案招募了非裔美国瘢痕疙瘩患者与健康对照个体。研究人员从瘢痕疙瘩患者的病变、非病变皮肤以及健康对照皮肤中采集了直径6mm的活检标本。