Allele-specific expression reveals genetic drivers of tissue regeneration in mice.

In adult mammals, skin wounds typically heal by scarring rather than through regeneration. In contrast, "super-healer" Murphy Roths Large (MRL) mice have the unusual ability to regenerate ear punch wounds; however, the molecular basis for this regeneration remains elusive. Here, in hybrid crosses between MRL and non-regenerating mice, we used allele-specific gene expression to identify cis-regulatory variation associated with ear regeneration.

Piezo inhibition prevents rescues scarring by targeting the adipocyte to fibroblast transition.

While past studies have suggested that plasticity exists between dermal fibroblasts and adipocytes, it remains unknown whether fat actively contributes to fibrosis in scarring. We show that adipocytes convert to scar-forming fibroblasts in response to -mediated mechanosensing to drive wound fibrosis. We establish that mechanics alone are sufficient to drive adipocyte-to- fibroblast conversion.

Multiplexed evaluation of mouse wound tissue using oligonucleotide barcoding with single-cell RNA sequencing.

Despite its rapidly increased availability for the study of complex tissue, single-cell RNA sequencing remains prohibitively expensive for large studies. Here, we present a protocol using oligonucleotide barcoding for the tagging and pooling of multiple samples from healing wounds, which are among the most challenging tissue types for this application. We describe steps to generate skin wounds in mice, followed by tissue harvest and oligonucleotide barcoding.

Adipose-Derived Stromal Cell-Based Therapies for Radiation-Induced Fibrosis.

Half of all cancer patients receive radiation therapy as a component of their treatment regimen, and the most common resulting complication is radiation-induced fibrosis (RIF) of the skin and soft tissue. This thickening of the dermis paired with decreased vascularity results in functional limitations and esthetic concerns and poses unique challenges when considering surgical exploration or reconstruction. Existing therapeutic options for RIF of the skin are limited both in scope and efficacy.

Tension offloading improves cutaneous scar formation in Achilles tendon repair.

Hypertrophic scar formation and non-healing wounds following Achilles tendon repair arise from poor vascularity to the incisional site or from excess mechanical stress/strain to the incision during the healing process. The embrace® scar therapy dressing is a tension offloading device for incisional scars. This study explored the effects of tension offloading during Achilles scar formation.