'Scar free healing' in mice may give clues to human skin repair, says study

Mice with brittle skin, which tears off in order to escape predators, may offer clues to healing
wounds without scarring, according to US researchers.
'Scar free healing' in mice may give clues to human skin repair, says study _63129256_seifert1

'Scar free healing' in mice may give clues to human skin repair, says study _63129256_seifert1

Some African spiny mice lost up to 60% of the skin from their backs, says the study published in the journal Nature.

Unlike wounds in other mammals, the skin then rapidly healed and regrew hairs rather than forming a scar.

Scientists want to figure out how the healing takes place and if it could apply to people.

Salamanders, some of which can regrow entire limbs, are famed
for their regenerative abilities. It has made them the focus of many
researchers hoping to figure out how to produce the same effect in
people.

Mammals, however, have very limited ability to regrow lost organs. Normally a scar forms to seal the wound.

Although many scienctists are trying
to speed up the healing process, our studies on spiny mice and
salamanders show that slowing things down is the path towards
regeneration”

Ashley Seifert
University of Florida

"This study shows that mammals
as a group may in fact have higher regenerative abilities then they are
given credit for," said Dr Ashley Seifert from the University of
Florida.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-19727622

'Scar free healing' in mice may give clues to human skin repair, says study

'Scar free healing' in mice may give clues to human skin repair, says study

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