Overexpression of mIGF-1 in Keratinocytes Improves Wound Healing and Accelerates Hair Follicle Formation and Cycling in Mice

The study demonstrated that overexpression of mIGF-1 in keratinocytes improved wound healing and accelerated hair follicle formation and cycling in transgenic mice. The research found that mIGF-1 enhanced keratinocyte proliferation and migration, leading to faster wound closure without affecting inflammation, scarring, or normal skin architecture. Additionally, mIGF-1 promoted hair follicle morphogenesis and cycling, resulting in thicker skin and longer hair shafts, particularly in awl and guard hairs. Importantly, these effects occurred without causing malignant tumors or systemic side effects, suggesting that mIGF-1 could be a promising therapeutic agent for skin and hair regeneration. The study involved 11 transgenic and 10 wild-type mice, highlighting the potential of mIGF-1 in regenerative therapies.