nagah.ali
Asst. Professor
Role of biomarkers in determination of Wound Age: Histopathological, Immunohistochemical and molecular Study
• 2026
Publication Information
Authors
Asmaa Abd Al Aziz Ibrahim Soliman 1
, Ola Gaber Haggag 1
, Abeer Abd Elwahab Sharaf Eldin, 1
and Omnia Al-saied Abdullah 2 Nagah Elsayed Mohmmed Ali1
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publication.type
Local
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Abstract
Background: Wound age determination is a critical
aspect of forensic investigations. The primary
objective aimed to determine the appropriateness of
vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), alphasmooth muscle actin (α-SMA), T tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and
transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β1) biomarkers for wound age determination in
rats. We conducted histopathological, immunohistochemical, and molecular
assessments to investigate changes in these markers over different post-wounding time
intervals. Methods: Forty-eight healthy adult male albino rats were separated into 8
equal groups based on the post-wounding time interval. Histopathological examinations,
immunohistochemical staining, and gene expression analyses were performed on skin
samples to assess the statement of TGF-β1, TNF-α, α-SMA, and VEGF. Data were
analysed statistically to determine the significance of changes over time. Results: The
histopathological analysis revealed distinct changes in skin tissue over time, ranging
from ulceration to reepithelialization and tissue regeneration. Immunohistochemical
examination demonstrated varying levels of VEGF and α-SMA expression, with
marked increases in later post-wounding periods. Molecular analysis indicated a
significant upregulation of TNF-α and TGF-β1 expression, reaching peak levels around
seven days post-wounding. Conclusions: The use of VEGF, α-SMA, TNF-α, and TGFβ1 as potential biomarkers for wound age determination. The expression patterns of
these markers in the rat skin suggest their suitability for forensic applications.
aspect of forensic investigations. The primary
objective aimed to determine the appropriateness of
vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), alphasmooth muscle actin (α-SMA), T tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and
transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β1) biomarkers for wound age determination in
rats. We conducted histopathological, immunohistochemical, and molecular
assessments to investigate changes in these markers over different post-wounding time
intervals. Methods: Forty-eight healthy adult male albino rats were separated into 8
equal groups based on the post-wounding time interval. Histopathological examinations,
immunohistochemical staining, and gene expression analyses were performed on skin
samples to assess the statement of TGF-β1, TNF-α, α-SMA, and VEGF. Data were
analysed statistically to determine the significance of changes over time. Results: The
histopathological analysis revealed distinct changes in skin tissue over time, ranging
from ulceration to reepithelialization and tissue regeneration. Immunohistochemical
examination demonstrated varying levels of VEGF and α-SMA expression, with
marked increases in later post-wounding periods. Molecular analysis indicated a
significant upregulation of TNF-α and TGF-β1 expression, reaching peak levels around
seven days post-wounding. Conclusions: The use of VEGF, α-SMA, TNF-α, and TGFβ1 as potential biomarkers for wound age determination. The expression patterns of
these markers in the rat skin suggest their suitability for forensic applications.