Langerhans cells are essential components of the angiogenic niche during murine skin repair.

Angiogenesis, the growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing vessels, occurs during development, injury repair, and tumorigenesis to deliver oxygen, immune cells, and nutrients to tissues. Defects in angiogenesis occur in cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases, and chronic, non-healing wounds, yet treatment options are limited. Here, we provide a map of the early angiogenic niche by analyzing single-cell RNA sequencing of mouse skin wound healing.

Dynamic quality control machinery that operates across compartmental borders mediates the degradation of mammalian nuclear membrane proteins.

Many human diseases are caused by mutations in nuclear envelope (NE) proteins. How protein homeostasis and disease etiology are interconnected at the NE is poorly understood. Specifically, the identity of local ubiquitin ligases that facilitate ubiquitin-proteasome-dependent NE protein turnover is presently unknown.

Dermal Adipocyte Lipolysis and Myofibroblast Conversion Are Required for Efficient Skin Repair.

Mature adipocytes store fatty acids and are a common component of tissue stroma. Adipocyte function in regulating bone marrow, skin, muscle, and mammary gland biology is emerging, but the role of adipocyte-derived lipids in tissue homeostasis and repair is poorly understood. Here, we identify an essential role for adipocyte lipolysis in regulating inflammation and repair after injury in skin.

Thin Skinned: Aged Adipocyte Atrophy Impacts Innate Immunity.

In a recent study, Zhang et al. (Immunity 2019;50:121-136) report that adipocyte atrophy in aged skin increases susceptibility to bacterial infection. Enhanced TGF-β signaling in aged adipocyte progenitor cells induces a fibrotic cell fate that lacks antimicrobial peptides produced by mature adipocytes, highlighting the importance of stromal cells as innate immune effectors.