Expression of c-fos and c-Ha-ras Proto-oncogenes is Induced in Human Chronic Wounds

BACKGROUND: It is known that chronic wounds such as leg ulcers have an increased risk of malignant transformation, mainly to squamous cell carcinoma (reviewed in Reference 1). OBJECTIVES: To better understand the molecular changes responsible for this increased risk of malignant transformation, we examined the expression of c-fos and c-Ha-ras, proto-oncogenes known to be involved in cellular proliferation and transformation, in chronic wounds. RESULTS: The level of both c-fos and c-Ha-ras mRNAs, determined by in situ hybridization, were heavily induced in the basal layer of epidermis in chronic wounds when compared to normal skin and acute wounds, (originated from the edge of wounds created by Moh's surgery). Expression of both proto-oncogenes was not detected in the dermis of any groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that elevated expression of proto-oncogenes may be partly responsible for the increase susceptibility of chronic wounds to malignant transformation.