Chinese researchers identify IGF2 in oral mucosa as key factor for ‘scarless wound healing’

The oral mucosa is the mucous membrane that lines in the inside of the mouth. Compared to skin wounds, oral wounds can heal faster and without leaving scars.

This made the oral mucosa, “an ideal model for studying scarless wound healing”​, said the researchers from the Zunyi Medical University in China.

“Although there is no difference in the wound healing stages of skin and oral mucosa, the healing rate of oral mucosal wounds is faster than that of skin wounds, and most importantly, without scarring.​

“And the re-epithelialisation ability of oral mucosal wounds is better than skin wounds, indicating a stronger proliferation capability of oral mucosal keratinocytes.”​

The research team identified gene modules and pathways enriched in the basal state of oral mucosa.

Eight gene groups were found and linked to the healing stages of skin and mouth wounds.

One specific group, M8, was unique to the basal state of oral mucosa and thought to be crucial for the inner mouth’s ability for scarless wound healing.

Furthermore, the study discovered that a specific gene, IGF2, stood out as a potential factor that could help heal skin wounds faster.

In vitro and in vivo experiments validated the efficacy of IGF2 in accelerating wound repair.

One of the key findings of the study was the distinct expression profile of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, growth factors, cytokines, and immune mediators in oral mucosal wounds.

Unlike skin wounds, the study found that oral mucosal wounds tend to exhibit higher expression levels of ECM components. This included hyaluronic acid, tendon protein, and fibronectin.

Furthermore, the ratio of type III collagen to type I collagen and the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) to tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) were found to be significantly higher in oral mucosal wounds.

The study also highlighted that oral mucosal wounds showed reduced levels of inflammatory cytokines and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

The researchers believe these findings could potentially have significant implications for the field of wound healing and clinical management of acute and chronic wounds.

“Overall, our data indicate that IGF2 is a key factor in oral mucosal wound healing and benefit to skin wound healing. Ultimately, we identify IGF2 and validate its role in skin wound healing, which providing insights into therapeutic targeting of chronic and non-healing wounds.”​

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Source: International Wound Journal

Identification of IGF2 promotes skin wound healing by co-expression analysis​

Authors: Liu et al.

https://doi.org/10.1111/iwj.14862