TLDR Activating autophagy helps skin regenerate better 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.
88 citations
,
June 2019 in “Cell reports” Certain small molecules can promote hair growth by activating a cellular cleanup process called autophagy.
211 citations
,
November 2018 in “Nature Cell Biology” Stem cells help heal skin wounds by moving and changing roles, working with other cells, and needing more research on their activation and behavior.
85 citations
,
January 2018 in “Cell stem cell” Different signals work together to change gene activity and guide hair follicle stem cells to become specific cell types.
85 citations
,
July 2012 in “Cold Spring Harbor perspectives in biology” The skin protects the body and is constantly renewed by stem cells; disruptions can lead to cancer.
121 citations
,
June 2009 in “Journal of Cellular Biochemistry” Human hair follicle stem cells can safely and effectively help nerve regeneration.
May 2024 in “Clinical Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology” Manipulating cell cleanup processes could help treat hair loss.
February 2024 in “Frontiers in physiology” Hair follicle stem cells help skin heal and grow during stretching.
1 citations
,
May 2022 in “Frontiers in medicine” Metformin helps improve skin regeneration by increasing the growth of skin stem cells.
December 2025 in “MEDFARM Jurnal Farmasi dan Kesehatan” Topical metformin shows promise for treating skin conditions like acne and psoriasis.
119 citations
,
March 2020 in “Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology” Asia has made significant progress in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, but wider clinical use requires more development.
