A recent study has discovered an RNA molecule that plays a crucial role in the healing of skin wounds. This research could have potential benefits for managing difficult-to-heal injuries.
A recent investigation led by Karolinska Institutet in Sweden and the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences has pinpointed an RNA molecule essential for skin wound healing. The findings, published in Nature Communications, may offer new treatment strategies for wounds that are hard to heal.
The research delves into the molecular mechanisms involved in wound healing, particularly how they manage the shift from inflammation—an essential defensive response—to the proliferative phase, during which new cells emerge to mend damaged tissue. Through analysis of tissue samples from Karolinska University Hospital, scientists have mapped long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) in human skin wounds, identifying a crucial regulator for the healing process.
“Our study shows that the lncRNA molecule SNHG26 is vital in directing skin cells through the various stages of wound healing, transitioning them from inflammation to repair,” says Ning Xu Landén, a senior researcher at the Department of Medicine, Solna, Karolinska Institutet.
The team also employed mouse models to examine how this molecule interacts with genes tied to inflammation and tissue regeneration. In mice that lacked SNHG26, the healing process was notably slower, underlining the molecule’s critical role in maintaining equilibrium between inflammation and tissue repair. This discovery opens up avenues for new therapeutic options addressing both acute and chronic wounds.
“By targeting SNHG26, we might speed up the healing process and diminish complications, especially in chronic wounds where extended inflammation poses significant challenges,” adds Ning Xu Landén.
Her research group at Karolinska Institutet is exploring how skin healing is regulated by specific RNA molecules, including lncRNAs and the newly recognized microRNA molecules, which were recently awarded a Nobel Prize. Future studies will investigate how additional regulatory RNA molecules contribute to tissue repair, with the ultimate goal of creating innovative treatments for hard-to-heal wounds.
This research was conducted in close partnership with Dongqing Li from the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. It received support from several sources, including the Swedish Research Council, the Ragnar Söderberg Foundation, the LEO Foundation, the Ming Wai Lau Centre for Reparative Medicine, the Welander and Finsens Foundation, Karolinska Institutet, and the National Natural Science Foundation of China. The authors report no conflicts of interest.
