MG53 Mitigates Nitrogen Mustard-Induced Skin Injury

The study "MG53 Mitigates Nitrogen Mustard-Induced Skin Injury" found that MG53, a component of cell membrane repair, plays a significant role in mitigating skin injuries caused by nitrogen mustard (NM). Mice lacking MG53 were more susceptible to NM-induced skin injuries, while those with higher MG53 levels were resistant. NM exposure increased oxidative stress and disrupted MG53's cell membrane repair function in keratinocytes and human follicle stem cells. However, applying recombinant human MG53 (rhMG53) protein topically mitigated NM-induced skin injuries, preserving the epidermis and hair follicle structure. The study also found that rhMG53 promoted hair growth and could potentially be used as a treatment for skin damage caused by vesicants like NM. The largest group size in the study was 8 mice.