Keratin 75 Is a Component of the LINC Complex and Has an Essential Role in Mediating the SOX2 Rapid Healing Response during Wound Repair

eIF6 modulates skin wound healing by upregulating keratin 6B

Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 6 (eIF6) plays a crucial role in 60S ribosome biogenesis and protein translation, as well as in hypertrophic scar formation, but its potential role in epithelialization is still poorly understood. Herein, we found that eIF6 negatively correlated with the wound healing process. Mice with genetically knockdown eIF6 (eIF6+/-) showed faster re-epithelization as shown by the longer tongue of the newly formed epidermis. Furthermore, eIF6 ablation accelerated the wound healing process by targeting basal keratinocytes in the eIF6 keratinocyte-conditional knockout (eIF6f/+; Krt5-Cre+) mice. Mechanistically, keratin 6B, an important wound-activated protein, was significantly upregulated in eIF6f/+; Krt5-Cre+ mice skin as proved by RNA-seq, western immunoblots, and immunofluorescence staining. Moreover, an elevated level of KRT6B and accelerated proliferative capacity were also observed in stable knockdown eIF6 HaCaT cells. Taken together, eIF6 downregulation could accelerate epithelialization by upregulating KRT6B expression and promoting keratinocyte proliferation. Our results for the first time indicate that eIF6 might be a novel target to regulate re-epithelialization.

Identification of IGF2 promotes skin wound healing by co-expression analysis

Oral mucosa is an ideal model for studying scarless wound healing. Researchers have shown that the key factors which promote scarless wound healing already exist in basal state of oral mucosa. Thus, to identify the other potential factors in basal state of oral mucosa will benefit to skin wound healing. In this study, we identified eight gene modules enriched in wound healing stages of human skin and oral mucosa through co-expression analysis, among which the module M8 was only module enriched in basal state of oral mucosa, indicating that the genes in module M8 may have key factors mediating scarless wound healing. Through bioinformatic analysis of genes in module M8, we found IGF2 may be the key factor mediating scarless wound healing of oral mucosa. Then, we purified IGF2 protein by prokaryotic expression, and we found that IGF2 could promote the proliferation and migration of HaCaT cells. Moreover, IGF2 promoted wound re-epithelialization and accelerated wound healing in a full-thickness skin wound model. Our findings identified IGF2 as a factor to promote skin wound healing which provide a potential target for wound healing therapy in clinic.

Biomaterial-based mechanical regulation facilitates scarless wound healing with functional skin appendage regeneration

Scar formation resulting from burns or severe trauma can significantly compromise the structural integrity of skin and lead to permanent loss of skin appendages, ultimately impairing its normal physiological function. Accumulating evidence underscores the potential of targeted modulation of mechanical cues to enhance skin regeneration, promoting scarless repair by influencing the extracellular microenvironment and driving the phenotypic transitions. The field of skin repair and skin appendage regeneration has witnessed remarkable advancements in the utilization of biomaterials with distinct physical properties. However, a comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanisms remains somewhat elusive, limiting the broader application of these innovations. In this review, we present two promising biomaterial-based mechanical approaches aimed at bolstering the regenerative capacity of compromised skin. The first approach involves leveraging biomaterials with specific biophysical properties to create an optimal scarless environment that supports cellular activities essential for regeneration. The second approach centers on harnessing mechanical forces exerted by biomaterials to enhance cellular plasticity, facilitating efficient cellular reprogramming and, consequently, promoting the regeneration of skin appendages. In summary, the manipulation of mechanical cues using biomaterial-based strategies holds significant promise as a supplementary approach for achieving scarless wound healing, coupled with the restoration of multiple skin appendage functions.