Repeal And Replace: Adipocyte Regeneration In Wound Repair

In a study conducted by Plikus et al. in 2017, it was found that myofibroblasts can generate lipid-filled adipocytes in large skin wounds that regenerate hair follicles, suggesting a new source of adipogenic progenitor cells. This discovery adds to the understanding of dermal mesenchymal cell heterogeneity. The study also identified several molecular changes during wound repair, including BMP2 and BMP4 expression. It was found that activation of BMP signaling in myofibroblasts is essential for the formation of mature adipocytes after repair of large wounds. The study further supports the ability of dermal adipocyte lineage cells to respond to signals derived from hair follicles. This research could have implications for adipose regeneration in the skin and regulation in other adipose depots.