Chitinase 3-Like Protein 1, Th 2 Cytokines (IL-4 and IL-13) in Incised and Lacerated Cutaneous Wounds: Experimental Study
International Journal of Medical Toxicology and Forensic Medicine,
Vol. 16 (2026),
1 January 2026
https://doi.org/10.22037/ijmtfm.v16.50976
Abstract
Background: Wounds are associated with increased levels of inflammatory biomarkers. In forensic investigations, biomolecular analysis can help determine the age of a wound. This study aimed to estimate the levels of inflammatory biomarkers: chitinase 3-like 1 (CHI3L1), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and interleukin-13 (IL-13); and to correlate them with immunohistopathological effects.
Methods: Cutaneous incisional (IW) and lacerated (LW) wounds were induced in thirty-six male rats, with eighteen rats allocated to each group. Tissue samples were collected at 4 and 8 days post-injury for histopathological, immunohistochemical, and biomolecular examinations.
Results: IL-4, IL-13, and CHI3L1 demonstrated significant time-dependent upregulation, with expression levels rising four- to six-fold at days 4 and 8 post-injury (P<0.05). CHI3L1 showed a biphasic expression pattern, with peak expression on day 4. IW generally exhibited higher gene expression levels compared to LW.
Conclusion: The biphasic time-dependent expression patterns of CHI3L1 in cutaneous injuries could be useful for wound age estimation, supporting their future application in medical and forensic contexts through further human clinical validation.
- Forensic pathology, wound age estimation, incisional, lacerated, interleukin 4, interleukin 13, chitinase
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References
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