Abstract An invariable feature of wounded skin, whether a normally healing or chronic lesion, is the expression of collagenase-1 by migrating basal keratinocytes. Collagenase-1 is a member of the matrix metalloproteinase family of enzymes and is the principal human enzyme which cleaves native fibrillar collagen. Following injury, basal keratinocytes move from the basement membrane and interact with new connective tissue proteins in the dermis and wound bed. Contact with native type I collagen, the most abundant protein in the dermis, induces expression of collagenase-1. This metalloproteinase cleaves collagen, thereby altering its structure and, hence, the affinity to which cells bind it. Thus, collagenase-1 serves a beneficial role in wound healing by facilitating the movement of keratinocytes over the collagen-rich dermis during reepithelialization.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Pilcher, B., Sudbeck, B., Dumin, J. et al. Collagenase-1 and collagen in epidermal repair. Arch Dermatol Res 290 (Suppl 1), S37–S46 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/PL00007452
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/PL00007452