Scarless wound healing: Transitioning from fetal research to regenerative healing.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Moore AL
PROVIDER: S-EPMC6485243 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:In contrast to adult and late-gestation fetal skin wounds, which heal with scar, early-gestation fetal skin wounds display a remarkable capacity to heal scarlessly. Although the underlying mechanism of this transition from fetal-type scarless healing to adult-type healing with scar has been actively investigated for decades, in utero restoration of scarless healing in late-gestation fetal wounds has not been reported. In this study, using loss- and gain-of-function rodent fetal wound models, we identified that fibromodulin (Fm) is essential for fetal-type scarless wound healing. In particular, we found that loss of Fm can eliminate the ability of early-gestation fetal rodents to heal without scar. Meanwhile, administration of fibromodulin protein (FM) alone was capable of restoring scarless healing in late-gestation rat fetal wounds, which naturally heal with scar, as characterized by dermal appendage restoration and organized collagen architectures that were virtually indistinguishable from those in age-matched unwounded skin. High Fm levels correlated with decreased transforming growth factor (TGF)-?1 expression and scarless repair, while low Fm levels correlated with increased TGF-?1 expression and scar formation. This study represents the first successful in utero attempt to induce scarless repair in late-gestation fetal wounds by using a single protein, Fm, and highlights the crucial role that the FM-TGF-?1 nexus plays in fetal-type scarless skin repair.
| S-EPMC5222972 | biostudies-literature
Project description:In early pregnancy, fetal skin wounds can heal quickly and undergo a transition period from scarless healing to scar formation. The aim of the present study was to identify potential biomarkers associated with scarless repair of cleft lips, in order to determine the intrinsic factors leading to scar formation in embryonic tissue. A stable model of cleft lip was established using microsurgery by constructing a wedge‑shaped cleft lip‑like defect in fetal rats at gestational age (GA) 16.5 and GA18.5. The GA16.5 and GA18.5 groups were used to model scarless healing and scar formation, respectively. The fetuses were returned to the uterus following surgery, then removed 72 h after the procedure. Macroscopic observation of the cleft defect and histological examination were carried out. Reverse transcription‑quantitative (RT‑q) PCR and parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) were used to detect mRNA and protein expression levels, respectively. The upper‑left lip completely healed 72 h after surgery in the GA16.5 group of fetal rats. However, this was not the case in the GA18.5 group. Histological examination indicated new follicles visible under the epidermis of the scarless group (GA16.5). Scarring was visible on the upper‑left cleft lip wound of the fetal rats in the GA18.5 group. The expression of some growth and pro‑inflammatory factors, including TNF‑α, were also different between two groups. Label‑free quantification was used to identified differentially expressed proteins and five differentially expressed proteins (Smad4, Fabp5, S100a4, S100a8 and S100a9) were identified. The relative expression of these molecules at the mRNA and protein levels were measured using RT‑qPCR and PRM. These molecules may represent potential biomarkers for the scarless repair of fetal rat cleft lip wounds.
| S-EPMC8240453 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Foetal skin is known to heal without scar. This ability is lost in the third trimester of gestation. In mouse, scarless wound healing was reported until the day 15-16 of gestation. A range of factors that could explain the mechanisms of scarless skin wound healing have been identified, to mention reduced immune response, a greater proportion of collagen type III, hyaluronic acid and transforming growth factor beta isoform 3. The involvement of epigenetic changes, which are known to determine developmental processes, has not been examined in the context of scarless foetal skin healing so far. We performed the microarray analysis methylome and transcriptome of murine foetal dorsal skin at embryonic day 15 contrasted with those in later phases at embryonic days 18-19 as well as the in the adult mouse. The group of genes which show decreased methylation status in the foetal skin before the loss of ability to scarless healing between embryonic day 15 and 18 are enriched with transcriptional factors involved in embryonic morphogenesis, epithelium development, neuron differentiation, and synapse functions. The genes with increased methylation after the transition are associated with cell death and epithelial cell differentiation, inflammatory and wounding response and the degradation of hyaluronic acid. A substantial part of DNA methylation differences observed between embryonic day 15 and 18 were retained later at embryonic day 19 and in adults and remarkably correlated with gene expression changes. A major part of genes encoding the key factors responsible for cutaneous wound healing show significant changes in gene expression following the transition from scar free to normal healing. The results show that skin methylome and transcriptome undergoe extensive alterations following the loss of ability to scarless healing, while the functions associated with the changes imply their central role in skin wound repair.
2016-12-31 | GSE67876 | GEO
Project description:Foetal skin is known to heal without scar. This ability is lost in the third trimester of gestation. In mouse, scarless wound healing was reported until the day 15-16 of gestation. A range of factors that could explain the mechanisms of scarless skin wound healing have been identified, to mention reduced immune response, a greater proportion of collagen type III, hyaluronic acid and transforming growth factor beta isoform 3. The involvement of epigenetic changes, which are known to determine developmental processes, has not been examined in the context of scarless foetal skin healing so far. We performed the microarray analysis methylome and transcriptome of murine foetal dorsal skin at embryonic day 15 contrasted with those in later phases at embryonic days 18-19 as well as the in the adult mouse. The group of genes which show decreased methylation status in the foetal skin before the loss of ability to scarless healing between embryonic day 15 and 18 are enriched with transcriptional factors involved in embryonic morphogenesis, epithelium development, neuron differentiation, and synapse functions. The genes with increased methylation after the transition are associated with cell death and epithelial cell differentiation, inflammatory and wounding response and the degradation of hyaluronic acid. A substantial part of DNA methylation differences observed between embryonic day 15 and 18 were retained later at embryonic day 19 and in adults and remarkably correlated with gene expression changes. A major part of genes encoding the key factors responsible for cutaneous wound healing show significant changes in gene expression following the transition from scar free to normal healing. The results show that skin methylome and transcriptome undergoe extensive alterations following the loss of ability to scarless healing, while the functions associated with the changes imply their central role in skin wound repair.
2016-12-31 | GSE67877 | GEO
Project description:BackgroundMid-gestation fetal cutaneous wounds heal scarlessly and this has been attributed in part to abundant hyaluronan (HA) in the extracellular matrix (ECM) and a unique fibroblast phenotype. We recently reported a novel role for interleukin 10 (IL-10) as a regulator of HA synthesis in the fetal ECM, as well as the ability of the fetal fibroblast to produce an HA-rich pericellular matrix (PCM). We hypothesized that IL-10-mediated HA synthesis was essential to the fetal fibroblast functional phenotype and, moreover, that this phenotype could be recapitulated in adult fibroblasts via supplementation with IL-10 via an HA dependent process.Methodology/principal findingsTo evaluate the differences in functional profile, we compared metabolism (MTS assay), apoptosis (caspase-3 staining), migration (scratch wound assay) and invasion (transwell assay) between C57Bl/6J murine fetal (E14.5) and adult (8 weeks) fibroblasts. We found that fetal fibroblasts have lower rates of metabolism and apoptosis, and an increased ability to migrate and invade compared to adult fibroblasts, and that these effects were dependent on IL-10 and HA synthase activity. Further, addition of IL-10 to adult fibroblasts resulted in increased fibroblast migration and invasion and recapitulated the fetal phenotype in an HA-dependent manner.Conclusions/significanceOur data demonstrates the functional differences between fetal and adult fibroblasts, and that IL-10 mediated HA synthesis is essential for the fetal fibroblasts' enhanced invasion and migration properties. Moreover, IL-10 via an HA-dependent mechanism can recapitulate this aspect of the fetal phenotype in adult fibroblasts, suggesting a novel mechanism of IL-10 in regenerative wound healing.
| S-EPMC4423847 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Wound dressings composed of natural polymers, such as type I collagen, possess good biocompatibility, water holding capacity, air permeability, and degradability, and can be used in wound repair. However, due to the persistent oxidative stress in the wound area, the migration and proliferation of fibroblasts might be suppressed, leading to poor healing. Thus, collagen-containing scaffolds are not suitable for accelerated wound healing. Antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is known to reduce the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and has been widely used in the clinic. Theoretically, the carboxyl group of NAC allows loading of graphene oxide (GO) for sustained release and may also enhance the mechanical properties of the collagen scaffold, making it a better wound-dressing material. Herein, we demonstrated an innovative approach for a potential skin-regenerating hybrid membrane using GO incorporated with collagen I and NAC (N-Col-GO) capable of continuously releasing antioxidant NAC. Methods: The mechanical stability, water holding capacity, and biocompatibility of the N-Col-GO hybrid membrane were measured in vitro. A 20 mm rat full-skin defect model was created to evaluate the repair efficiency of the N-Col-GO hybrid membrane. The vascularization and scar-related genes in the wound area were also examined. Results: Compared to the Col only scaffold, N-Col-GO hybrid membrane exhibited a better mechanical property, stronger water retention capacity, and slower NAC release ability, which likely promote fibroblast migration and proliferation. Treatment with the N-Col-GO hybrid membrane in the rat wound model showed complete healing 14 days after application which was 22% faster than the control group. HE and Masson staining confirmed faster collagen deposition and better epithelization, while CD31 staining revealed a noticeable increase of vascularization. Furthermore, Rt-PCR demonstrated decreased mRNA expression of profibrotic and overexpression of anti-fibrotic factors indicative of the anti-scar effect. Conclusion: These findings suggest that N-Col-GO drug release hybrid membrane serves as a better platform for scarless skin regeneration.
| S-EPMC6735368 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Scarless skin regeneration with functional tissue remains a challenge for full-thickness wounds. Here, mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-laden hydrogels are developed for scarless wound healing with hair follicles. Microgels composed of aligned silk nanofibers are used to load MSCs to modulate the paracrine. MSC-laden microgels are dispersed into injectable silk nanofiber hydrogels, forming composites biomaterials containing the cells. The injectable hydrogels protect and stabilize the MSCs in the wounds. The synergistic action of silk-based composite hydrogels and MSCs stimulated angiogenesis and M1-M2 phenotype switching of macrophages, provides a suitable niche for functional recovery of wounds. Compared to skin defects treated with MSC-free hydrogels, the defects treated with the MSC-laden composite hydrogels heal faster and form scarless tissues with hair follicles. Wound healing can be further improved by adjusting the ratio of silk nanofibers and particles and the loaded MSCs, suggesting tunability of the system. To the best of current knowledge, this is the first time scarless skin regeneration with hair follicles based on silk material systems is reported. The improved wound healing capacity of the systems suggests future in vivo studies to compare to other biomaterial systems related to clinical goals in skin regeneration in the absence of scarring.
| S-EPMC7473495 | biostudies-literature
Project description:This SuperSeries is composed of the SubSeries listed below.
2016-12-31 | GSE67878 | GEO
Project description:Despite decades of research, the goal of achieving scarless wound healing remains elusive. One of the approaches, treatment with polymeric microcarriers, was shown to promote tissue regeneration in various in vitro models of wound healing. The in vivo effects of such an approach are attributed to transferred cells with polymeric microparticles functioning merely as inert scaffolds. We aimed to establish a bioactive biopolymer carrier that would promote would healing and inhibit scar formation in the murine model of deep skin wounds. Here we characterize two candidate types of microparticles based on fibroin/gelatin or spidroin and show that both types increase re-epithelialization rate and inhibit scar formation during skin wound healing. Interestingly, the effects of these microparticles on inflammatory gene expression and cytokine production by macrophages, fibroblasts, and keratinocytes are distinct. Both types of microparticles, as well as their soluble derivatives, fibroin and spidroin, significantly reduced the expression of profibrotic factors Fgf2 and Ctgf in mouse embryonic fibroblasts. However, only fibroin/gelatin microparticles induced transient inflammatory gene expression and cytokine production leading to an influx of inflammatory Ly6C+ myeloid cells to the injection site. The ability of microparticle carriers of equal proregenerative potential to induce inflammatory response may allow their subsequent adaptation to treatment of wounds with different bioburden and fibrotic content.
| S-EPMC6288351 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Effective healing of skin wounds is essential for our survival. Although skin has strong regenerative potential, dysfunctional and disfiguring scars can result from aberrant wound repair. Skin scarring involves excessive deposition and misalignment of ECM (extracellular matrix), increased cellularity, and chronic inflammation. Transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) signaling exerts pleiotropic effects on wound healing by regulating cell proliferation, migration, ECM production, and the immune response. Although blocking TGFβ signaling can reduce tissue fibrosis and scarring, systemic inhibition of TGFβ can lead to significant side effects and inhibit wound re-epithelization. In this study, we develop a wound dressing material based on an integrated photo-crosslinking strategy and a microcapsule platform with pulsatile release of TGF-β inhibitor to achieve spatiotemporal specificity for skin wounds. The material enhances skin wound closure while effectively suppressing scar formation in murine skin wounds and large animal preclinical models. Our study presents a strategy for scarless wound repair.
| S-EPMC7960722 | biostudies-literature