Dermal fibroblast-derived extracellular matrix (ECM) synergizes with keratinocytes in promoting re-epithelization and scarless healing of skin wounds: Towards optimized skin tissue engineering.

ABSTRACT: Skin serves as the first-order protective barrier against the environment and any significant disruptions in skin integrity must be promptly restored. Despite significant advances in therapeutic strategies, effective management of large chronic skin wounds remains a clinical challenge. Dermal fibroblasts are the primary cell type responsible for remodeling the extracellular matrix (ECM) in wound healing. Here, we investigated whether ECM derived from exogenous fibroblasts, in combination with keratinocytes, promoted scarless cutaneous wound healing. To overcome the limited lifespan of primary dermal fibroblasts, we established reversibly immortalized mouse dermal fibroblasts (imDFs), which were non-tumorigenic, expressed dermal fibroblast markers, and were responsive to TGF-β1 stimulation.

SUBMITTER: Dong X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11762682 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature