Dermal fibroblasts are responsible for maintaining and repairing tissue integrity through the synthesis of the extracellular matrix of connective tissue. These cells arise from a homogenous population during early embryonic development in mouse skin and differentiate into heterogenous populations with unique functions in development, skin maturation and wound healing. We recently identified different fibroblast populations in adult human skin, using a combination of comparative spatial transcriptional profiling. These cell populations have unique gene signatures and distinct functionality. Two fibroblast populations improved wound healing in an ex-vivo model, with differential collagen deposition. These subpopulations were also able to remodel fibrotic keloid extra-cellular matrix. Understanding the contributions of the different fibroblast subpopulations and defining the factors that regulate this heterogeneity in the skin maturation, regeneration and disease, could identify new treatment strategies targeting pathological fibroblast behaviour in skin diseases.

Dermal fibroblast subpopulations as a potential cell therapy for promoting scar-free wound healing and resolving scar formation