Smad7 down-regulation via ubiquitin degradation mediated by Smurf2 in fibroblasts of hypertrophic scars in burned patients

•TGF-β1 was considered to play a critical role in the forming of hypertrophic scars. Smad7 can regulate TGF-β1/Smad pathway and present negative feedbacks.•We demonstrated that the ubiquitin degradation of Smad7 protein were enhanced in hypertrophic scar fibroblasts, and TGF-β1 stimulation increased Smad7 protein expression after silencing Smurf2 gene in hypertrophic scar fibroblasts.•Our results suggest that the lack of Smad7 protein in hypertrophic scar fibroblasts might result from ubiquitin degradation mediated by Smurf2.