TGF-β Signaling-Mediated Wound Healing Is Required For Hair Follicle Neogenesis

This study investigates the role of TGF-β signaling in hair follicle neogenesis (HFN) during wound healing in mice. The researchers used genetically modified mouse models to deplete TGF-β signaling, finding that its absence before re-epithelialization inhibited HFN, reduced myofibroblast differentiation, and decreased collagen deposition. Additionally, knocking out collagen type I in wound fibroblasts also inhibited HFN, which could be rescued by activating Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling. Spatial transcriptomic analysis showed that TGF-β signaling is crucial for macrophage infiltration and chemoattractant expression, both essential for wound healing and HFN. The study concludes that TGF-β signaling is vital for orchestrating the wound healing process, providing a regenerative microenvironment necessary for initiating HFN.