0
0
A groundbreaking study from Karolinska Institutet has mapped the complex cellular and molecular processes involved in human wound healing, offering new insights that could transform medical treatments for chronic wounds. Published in Cell Stem Cell, the research reveals how different types of cells work together during the healing process, uncovering key factors that contribute to wound recovery.
The healing of wounds is an essential biological process, yet much remains unknown about the precise mechanisms behind it. To address this gap, researchers closely examined skin and wound samples from the same individuals at various stages of healing—specifically inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. By applying advanced single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics, they tracked how cells and molecules evolve over time to repair skin injuries.
One of the study’s key findings is the role of a protein called FOSL1, which helps skin cells move and cover wounds. The researchers also identified other important cells, such as macrophages and fibroblasts, that assist in this process by promoting cell migration and damage repair. “We have discovered that FOSL1 is crucial in helping skin cells move and close wounds, and that other cells play a significant supporting role,” says Zhuang Liu, a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Medicine, Solna, Karolinska Institutet.
The study also compared the healing process in individuals with chronic conditions like venous ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers. Liu explains that in these cases, impaired cell movement and dysfunctional inflammatory responses make wound healing more difficult, providing an important clue as to why some wounds fail to heal effectively.
“Our findings suggest that issues with cellular migration and inflammation could be targeted to improve wound healing in people with chronic diseases,” says Liu. The research highlights the significant differences between human and animal wound healing, reinforcing the need for human-specific models in clinical research.
Ning Xu Landén, an associate professor at Karolinska Institutet and co-author of the study, adds, “This research provides a critical understanding of the human skin wound healing process, which differs from animal models. These insights are vital for advancing clinical treatments and bridging the gap between laboratory discoveries and real-world applications.”
The study opens new avenues for therapeutic strategies aimed at enhancing wound healing, particularly for individuals suffering from chronic wounds. By pinpointing specific cellular processes, the research paves the way for more effective treatments that could address the root causes of delayed wound healing.
For more information, the full study is available in Cell Stem Cell, with the citation: Zhuang Liu et al, Spatiotemporal single-cell roadmap of human skin wound healing, Cell Stem Cell (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2024.11.013.
