TITLE:
Botulinum Toxin Type A and Its Possible Mechanisms on Wound Healing
AUTHORS:
Khushboo Gurung, Qian Tan, Ye Xu, Bingchen Duan
KEYWORDS:
Wound Healing, Botulinum Toxin Type-A, Hypertrophic Scar, Keloid, Fibroblast, Myofibroblasts, Transforming Growth Factor β-1, Collagen, Metalloproteinases, Connective Tissue Growth Factor
JOURNAL NAME:
Modern Plastic Surgery,
Vol.10 No.3,
May
8,
2020
ABSTRACT: Botulinum toxin type-A (BTX-A), a subtype from known seven types of botulinum neurotoxin (serotype A-G), is produced by a gram-positive bacterium, Clostridium botulinum. The toxin is now widely and efficiently used in treating a plethora of diverse symptoms and conditions. Recent evidence in the literature also shows that BTX-A exhibits a wide range of effects on non-neuronal cells. Its potential has markedly expanded to clinical applications other than the treatment of neurological and muscular conditions that are characterized by neuronal hyperactivity. A number of studies have shown BTX-A to improve the quality of scar outcome and prevent the formation of keloids and HTS. Although the mechanism of action of BTX-A on wound healing is still not clearly understood, lately there has been extensive research to grasp the underlying mechanisms of this multifunctional toxin. BTX-A seems to affect wound healing by a number of mechanisms that include action on tensile forces, inhibition of fibroblasts differentiation, downregulation of TGF-β1 and collagen expression. This review will explore the responses of Botulinum toxin type-A on wound healing and preventing pathological scars like HTS and keloids, and comprehend the overall effect BTX-A has on wound healing.