Fig. 3

Knockout of Tem1 in mice markedly reduces pathologic scar formation induced by mechanical stretching. A A flowchart for a mouse model of stretch-induced hypertrophic scarring. In brief, on post-wounding day 6, traction force in the traction group (n = 11 for Tem1^WT/WT mice and 13 for Tem1^lacZ/lacZ mice) is induced by 1 mm/day of elongation using a plastic device, for a total of 8 mm. The non-stretched scar with the plastic device is the sham control (n = 10 for Tem1^WT/WT mice and 7 for Tem1^lacZ/lacZ mice). B, C The gross scar in the Tem1^WT/WT and Tem1^lacZ/lacZ mice with or without traction force is captured by dissecting microscope and then quantified by ImageJ. Scale bar = 5 mm. D, E The scar tissues of the Tem1^WT/WT and Tem1^lacZ/lacZ mice with or without traction force are stained with H&E stain for histologic observation. The scar area is quantified by ImageJ. F–I Integrated intensity of collagen deposition in the scar area of the Tem1^WT/WT and Tem1^lacZ/lacZ mice with or without traction force is detected using Masson’s trichrome stain (F, G) and picrosirius red stain (H, I) and is quantified using ImageJ in a blinded manner. Scale bar = 1 mm. Bar graphs show mean ± SEM. ** P < 0.01, *** P < 0.001. P-values are determined by two-way analysis of variance