Uncovering the Nanoscale Structure and Biophysics of Cutaneous Fibrosis: A Short Review

April 2024 in “ Authorea (Authorea) ”

Kehong Wang, Kehong Wang, Laura Forster, Xiaopeng Li, Jun Huang, Hansen Samuel S., Dimitris Menemenlis, Kexin He

TLDR Understanding the nanoscale structure of skin fibrosis can improve knowledge of wound healing and tissue regeneration.

This review discusses the nanoscale structure and biophysics of cutaneous fibrosis, highlighting the role of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and fibroblast activation in wound healing. Techniques such as Raman spectroscopy, nanoindentation (NI), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) are emphasized for their ability to characterize collagen protein expression, local ECM biomechanics, and collagen ultrastructure. These methods can enhance our understanding of the biophysical interactions within the collagen fiber network, aiding in the comprehension of fibroblast behavior and the mechanisms underlying tissue regeneration and fibrosis.

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