Unique behavior of dermal cells from regenerative mammal, the African Spiny Mouse, in response to substrate stiffness

The African Spiny Mouse (Acomys spp.) is a unique outbred mammal capable of full, scar-free skin regeneration. In vivo, we have observed rapid reepithelialization and deposition of normal dermis in Acomys after wounding. Acomys skin also has a lower modulus and lower elastic energy storage than normal lab mice, Mus musculus. To see if the different in vivo mechanical microenvironments retained an effect on dermal cells and contributed to regenerative behavior, we examined isolated keratinocytes in response to physical wounding and fibroblasts in response to varying substrate stiffness.

Source: Journal of Biomechanics - October 13, 2018 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Daniel C. Stewart, P. Nicole Serrano, Andr és Rubiano, Ryosuke Yokosawa, Justin Sandler, Marah Mukhtar, Jason O. Brant, Malcolm Maden, Chelsey S. Simmons Tags: Short communication Source Type: research