Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, Research Program Tumor Cell Regulation, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany

Correspondence: Karin Müller-Decker, Deutsches Krebsforschungs-zentrum, Research Program Tumor Cell Regulation, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany. Email: K.Mueller-Decker@dkfz.de

Received 17 December 2001; Revised 18 April 2002; Accepted 29 July 2002.

Abstract

In addition to their proinflammatory activities, prostaglandins recently have been shown to be beneficial in the resolution of tissue injury and inflammation. Thus, inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2, the predominant prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase under these conditions, may not only result in attenuating the inflammatory response but also in delaying tissue regeneration and repair. To this end, we investigated cyclooxygenase isozyme expression and the effects of cyclooxygenase inhibitors on wound healing upon full-thickness incisions in mouse skin. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed prominent expression of cyclooxygenase isozymes in keratinocytes of the hyperplastic epithelium, with cyclooxygenase-1 immunosignals predominating in the suprabasal compartment and cyclooxygenase-2 immunosignals spread throughout the whole epidermis. Moreover, dendritic cells, resembling Langerhans cells, as well as endothelial cells and macrophages in the vicinity of or within the granulation tissue were found to express both isozymes. Inhibition of prostaglandin E₂ synthesis by oral administration of the cyclooxygenase-1-selective inhibitor SC-560 or the cyclooxygenase-2-selective inhibitor valdecoxib did not retard wound healing in mouse skin macroscopically. Except for a slight transient retardation of epithelialization early after wounding wound-induced neoangiogenesis, collagen deposition, and the restoration of tensile strength were not delayed by these agents. Likewise, the nonselective inhibitor indomethacin had no effect on the tensile strength of incisional skin wounds.