Mammalian skin dermis has distinct embryonic origins, with the face uniquely derived from neural crest (NC). NC cells are particularly migratory and plastic (e.g., generating melanocytes, cartilage, bone, neurons, and glia), properties we hypothesize will impact wound healing potential. The face is anecdotally described to have special wound healing properties, but whether these are functionally related to the NC cellular origin is unknown.
Dermal fibroblasts have an important role in remodelling the extracellular matrix (ECM) during wound healing, and excessive or inappropriate collagen deposition may lead to fibrosis and scarring. Our previous work showed that adult dermal fibroblasts from an in vivo model in both homeostasis and wound repair vary with site, including significant transcriptional differences in ECM-related and developmental genes. This project uses human tissue to study the differences between NC vs mesoderm-derived dermal fibroblast.
Variations in human dermis in different anatomical sites in homeostasis were analysed including donor-matched face, abdomen and back skin from post-mortem samples using second harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy. Furthermore, RT-qPCR was used to analyse expression of developmental and ECM-related genes previously identified in vivo to be differently expressed across anatomical sites.
Preliminary observations from SHG imaging shows differences in dermal ECM architecture across anatomical sites. Moreover, expression profiles of Zic1 and Hoxb6 (somitic and paraxial mesoderm markers, respectively) in dermal fibroblasts derived from different sites vary, mimicking their embryonic origin. Several ECM-related genes (Col1A1, Tnc, Postn, Acan) also appear differently expressed. Future work will involve quantitative analyses of the SHG images indicative of ECM organisation. Ultimately, by identifying ECM candidates associated with site differences, investigating their functions and regulatory pathways, this work is anticipated to be valuable to scarring treatments or skin rejuvenation purposes.

LB028- Fibroblast remodelling of the dermis during rejuvenation and scarring events

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.