Adult skin wounds are frequently accompanied by scar formation that can become fibrotic. Development of more efficient skin wound treatments is an urgent need. A fascinating and unique property of oral mucosa is that it rarely scars in response to wound healing, yet the mechanisms of scarless healing and fibroblast heterogeneity are yet to be revealed. The current project aims to enhance skin wound healing by disclosing oral mucosal fibroblast regenerative potential. Analysis of several timepoints of murine tongue wound healing by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry using markers of inflammation, proliferation and tissue remodelling revealed oral wound healing dynamics. By combining immunofluorescence, flow cytometry and single-cell RNA-sequencing, we have highlighted the different fibroblast subpopulations and molecular mechanisms of different sites of the oral mucosa when compared to skin. To investigate proliferation and migration capacity of oral vs. skin fibroblast subpopulations, in vitro assays for proliferation and scratch assays were performed. Our preliminary in vitro assays have dissected the mechanisms by which the oral mucosal wounds heal in an accelerated fashion in comparison to skin, showing a significant increase in oral fibroblast proliferation, although migration was similar to skin. Our study has identified oral fibroblast subpopulations that hold higher regenerative capacity and that could be used for improved chronic skin wound therapies.

ESDR603 - Dissecting the role of fibroblasts in homeostasis and wound healing of the oral mucosa

The scientific meeting of the European Society for Dermatological Research (ESDR) is held yearly, usually in September. With an international attendance of more than 1000 skin scientists from around the globe, the four-day event includes short oral presentations from peer-reviewed abstracts, keynote lectures from international experts, sponsored symposia, satellite programs, educational events as well as an important focus on posters, networking and building collaborations amongst scientists. For more information about this year’s meeting visit our website.