Figure 1: Expression of the chemokine spectrum in mechanically stretched skin. (A-B) Real time-PCR analysis of mechanically stretched skin. GAPDH was applied as an internal control. A significant upregulation of SDF-1α occurred on D1 and reached its peak on D7. Expression of MIP-1α, TARC, SLC and CTACK also had varying degrees of upregulation from D1 to D21. (C) Immunohistochemical staining with an anti-SDF-1α antibody in mechanically stretched skin. Mechanically stretched skin harvested on D7 and D14 had significantly more SDF-1α positive cells than the control, especially in the epidermis and in hair follicles (*p<0.05). Bars, 50 µm. (D-E) Expression of chemokine receptors in MSCs. GAPDH was applied as an internal control. CXCR4, CCR5 and CCR10 were all found in cultured MSCs, while CCR4 and CCR7 were both expressed at low levels.