The GPI-Anchored Protein Thy-1/CD90 Promotes Wound Healing upon Injury to the Skin by Enhancing Skin Perfusion

Perez, Leonardo A.; Leon, Jose; Lopez, Juan; Rojas, Daniela; Reyes, Montserrat; Contreras, Pamela; Quest, Andrew F. G.; Escudero, Carlos; Leyton, Lisette

Abstract

Wound healing is a highly regulated multi-step process that involves a plethora of signals. Blood perfusion is crucial in wound healing and abnormalities in the formation of new blood vessels define the outcome of the wound healing process. Thy-1 has been implicated in angiogenesis and silencing of the Thy-1 gene retards the wound healing process. However, the role of Thy-1 in blood perfusion during wound closure remains unclear. We proposed that Thy-1 regulates vascular perfusion, affecting the healing rate in mouse skin. We analyzed the time of recovery, blood perfusion using Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging, and tissue morphology from images acquired with a Nanozoomer tissue scanner. The latter was assessed in a tissue sample taken with a biopsy punch on several days during the wound healing process. Results obtained with the Thy-1 knockout (Thy-1(-/-)) mice were compared with control mice. Thy-1(-)(/-) mice showed at day seven, a delayed re-epithelialization, increased micro- to macro-circulation ratio, and lower blood perfusion in the wound area. In addition, skin morphology displayed a flatter epidermis, fewer ridges, and almost no stratum granulosum or corneum, while the dermis was thicker, showing more fibroblasts and fewer lymphocytes. Our results suggest a critical role for Thy-1 in wound healing, particularly in vascular dynamics.

Más información

Título según WOS: The GPI-Anchored Protein Thy-1/CD90 Promotes Wound Healing upon Injury to the Skin by Enhancing Skin Perfusion
Título de la Revista: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
Volumen: 23
Número: 20
Editorial: MDPI
Fecha de publicación: 2022
DOI:

10.3390/ijms232012539

Notas: ISI