Hyperinnervation Inhibits Organ-Level Regeneration In Mammalian Skin

The study reveals that hyperinnervation, driven by postnatal wound-specific fibroblasts and the overexpression of genes like Cxcl12, inhibits organ-level regeneration in mammalian skin. While embryonic skin can regenerate diverse cell types after injury, postnatal skin cannot, leading to scarring and limited regeneration. By reducing hyperinnervation through genetic or chemical means, such as depleting Cxcl12 in fibroblasts or using BoNT/A treatment, researchers restored multilineage regeneration, including hair follicles, in postnatal and adult mice. This suggests that controlling nerve growth and activity could enhance skin regeneration and improve wound healing outcomes. The study highlights the potential for developing treatments to enhance skin regeneration in chronic wounds or severe injuries.