Pressure therapy upregulates matrix metalloproteinase expression and downregulates collagen expression in hypertrophic scar tissue.

Background: Pressure therapy improves hypertrophic scar healing, but the mechanisms for this process are not well understood. We sought to investigate the differential expression of matrix metalloproteinases (Mmps) and collagen in posttraumatic hypertrophic scar tissue with mechanical pressure and delineate the molecular mechanisms of pressure therapy for hypertrophic scars.

Methods: Fibroblast lines of normal skin and scar tissue were established and a mechanical pressure system was devised to simulate pressure therapy.