Activating Autophagy Promotes Skin Regeneration Induced by Mechanical Stretch During Tissue Expansion

This study investigated the role of autophagy in skin regeneration during tissue expansion using a rat scalp model. Autophagy levels peaked 48 hours after mechanical stretch. Activating autophagy with rapamycin enhanced skin expansion, increased epidermal and dermal thickness, and accelerated regeneration by promoting cell proliferation, reducing apoptosis, improving angiogenesis, and boosting collagen synthesis and growth factor secretion. Blocking autophagy reversed these benefits. The findings suggest that modulating autophagy could improve tissue expansion efficiency and reduce skin necrosis complications.