Abstract: Objective To study the expressions of focal adhesion kinase(FAK) and phospho-FAK(p-FAK) during skin incised wound healing and the applicability of time-dependent expressions of FAK and p-FAK.Methods The expression of FAK and p-FAK in cutaneous incised wound in mouse were investigated by immunohistochmeistry and Western blotting.Results FAK and p-FAK expression were detected in polymorphonuclear cells(PMNs) in the wound and adjacent regions 3 hours post-injury.The expressions of FAK and p-FAK were detected in a large number of infiltrating PMNs and some of mononuclear cells(MNCs) from 6 to 24 hours after injury.The MNCs and fibroblastic cells(FBCs) accounted for most part of the FAK and p-FAK positive cells from 3 to 14 days after injury.The numbers of FAK-positive cells increased continuously,reaching a peak at post-injury day 3,and then started to decrease from post-injury day 5 to 14.The changes of p-FAK-positive cells were similar to that of the FAKs,and reached a peak at 12 hours after injury.Conclusion Both FAK and p-FAK displayed a time-dependent expression during skin incised wound healing in mouse,with p-FAK being superior to FAK.Both FAK and p-FAK may potentially be used as new markers for determination of the wound interval.

Key words: immunohistochemistry, focal adhesion kinase(FAK), phospho-FAK, skin wound, wound interval, Western blot