A stretch-responsive fibroblast program promotes epidermal stem cell self-renewal during skin expansion - PubMed
3 hours ago
- #fibroblast
- #skin expansion
- #epidermal stem cell
- Skin expansion in reconstructive surgery requires coordinated growth of epidermis and dermis.
- Fibroblasts exit quiescence and restart proliferation under stretch.
- Fibroblasts reduce collagen production and upregulate extracellular matrix remodelling.
- They adopt a more embryonic-like program under stretching.
- Low collagen state enhances epidermal stem cell self-renewal.
- Embryonic fibroblasts support epidermal stem cell expansion clinically.
- Insights guide design of stretch-mediated tissue expansion protocols.
- Findings aid production of in vitro skin grafts for clinical application.