Objective To detect the expression of melanocortin 1 receptor (MC-1R) and the melanin contents in human skin autografts and the normal skin, to elucide the role of MC-1R in hyperpigmented process of skin autografts. Methods Skin autografts and normal skin samples were obtained from skin graft on neck who need reoperation to release contractures after 1 year of operations. Immunohistochemical technique was performed to detect the expression and distribution of MC-1R in skin autografts(include full thickenss skin autografts, medium thickness skin autografts, and razorthin skin autografts) and normal skin respectively. MassonFontana staining technique was performedto detect the melanin contents in all sorts specimens respectively. Results The expression of MC-1R was located on cell membrane and cytoplasm of melanocyte and keratinocyte in epidermal. The expression of MC-1R in most skin autografts was much ber than that of control normal skins; the thinnerskin autografts were, the more obvious expressions of MC-1R in skin autografts were. The expressions of MC-1R in all sorts of skinautografts were of significant differences compared with that in normal skins(P＜0.01); the expression of MC-1R in normal skin of donor area was no significant differences compared with normal skin around recipient area(P＞0.01). The contents of melanin in skin autografts were increased obviously and there were significantdifferences compared with that in normal skins(P＜0.01); the contents of melanin among all sorts of skin autografts were of significant differences (P＜0.01). The thinner skin autografts were, the more melanin contents in skin autografts. The expression of MC-1R was positively correlated with the contents ofmelanin in epidermis. Conclusion The expression of MC-1R in skin autografts is significantly higher than that in normal skin and is correlated positively with the contents of melanin in skin autografts. Overexpression of MC-1R may play an important role in hyperpigmented process of skin autografts.

Citation： XUE Chunyu,XING Xin,LI Li,et al.. CORRELATION OF THE EXPRESSION OF MELANOCORTIN [STHZ]1[STBZ] RECEPTOR AND MELANIN CONTENTS IN HUMAN SKIN AUTOGRAFTS. Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery, 2007, 21(11): 1202-1205. doi: Copy