Identification of the potential targets for keloid and hypertrophic scar prevention

Purpose: We aimed to explore the molecular mechanism of pathologic skin scar and novel target for scar prevention.Materials and methods: Microarray data derived from keloid and hypertrophic scar were downloaded from ArrayExpress database. The common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in keloid and hypertrophic scar samples were investigated by function and pathway analysis. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed and the modules were screened.Results: There were a total of 485 DEGs related with skin scar, including 247 up-regulated genes and 238 down-regulated genes. The up-regulated genes were closely related with Rho protein signal transduction, cytoskeleton organization, and Ras protein signal transduction related biological process. The down-regulated genes were enriched in sterol metabolic process, fatty acid metabolic process, and steroid metabolic process. PPI network was constructed with 680 protein pairs and modules 1 and 2 were screened out. Fos proto-oncogene (FOS) and early growth response 1 (EGR1) were significant transcriptional factors in the two modules.Conclusions: FOS and EGR1 may be potential targets for skin scar prevention.