Tsukushi Is Involved in Wound Healing by Regulating the Expression of Cytokines and Growth Factors

In the 2014 study, researchers found that Tsukushi (TSK), a small leucine-rich proteoglycan, plays a role in wound healing by regulating the expression of cytokines and growth factors. They observed a shift in TSK expression from macrophages to myofibroblasts during the healing process in TSK-lacZ knock-in mice. The study showed that TSK inhibits TGF-ß1 secretion from macrophages, affecting macrophage function and myofibroblast differentiation. In TSK-null mice, increased levels of TGF-ß1, IL-6, and Stat3 were noted, indicating that TSK deficiency may lead to excessive inflammation. The conclusion was that TSK helps maintain the quiescence of inflammatory cells, thereby contributing to the wound healing process. The exact number of mice used in the study was not mentioned.