Collagen Triple Helix Repeat Containing-1 Promotes Functional Recovery of Sweat Glands by Inducing Adjacent Microvascular Network Reconstruction In Vivo

The study investigated the role of Collagen triple helix repeat containing-1 (CTHRC1) in promoting the functional recovery of sweat glands (SGs) by inducing the reconstruction of the adjacent microvascular network in mice. It was found that deletion of the Cthrc1 gene led to reduced sweat secretion and a disordered capillary network around SGs. CTHRC1 was crucial for SG function, as its absence decreased the expression of vascular development genes and proteins. Administering CTHRC1 improved SG function by enhancing the angiogenic capacity of dermal microvascular endothelial cells and promoting vascular network reconstruction. These findings suggested that CTHRC1 could be a potential therapeutic target for enhancing SG function and recovery, particularly in conditions where the microvascular network is compromised.