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Updated: Aug 6, 2026
Murine Model of Wound Healing
Published on: May 28, 2013
Wound healing in the sex skin of pig-tailed macaques
W Montagna1, K Carlisle, R M Brenner
1Oregon Regional Primate Research Center, Beaverton 97006.
Abstract:
We studied wound healing in methacrylate- and araldite-embedded sex skin, a unique tissue that embodies the properties of friction surface and hairy skin. The largely light-microscopic observations were supplemented with transmission electron microscopy. The time of epidermal bridging was directly dependent on how closely apposed were the wound margins. Repair in the dermis always occurred more rapidly in the upper and in the lower parts of the wound gap than in the middle. Early in healing, the original epidermis cut off a wedge of skin in the upper wound margin (precocious remodeling) and cast it off at the margin of the clot. Remodeling (collagen resorption) inside the wound gap is accomplished primarily by fibroclasts. All mast cells in the vicinity of the wound attain fatty vacuoles. Adipose tissue near the wound undergoes lipolysis: the adipocytes gradually become smaller and their cytoplasm reticulated as small fat vesicles are extruded in the interstitium; fibroblasts, macrophages, polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) and mast cells readily phagocytose the fat vesicles. Elastic fibers do not participate in wound healing. There was no evidence of elastic fiber formation in granulation tissue.
Insights
This study reveals that wound healing in sex skin involves rapid dermal repair and epidermal bridging, with fat cells breaking down and being absorbed by various immune cells. Elastic fibers do not play a role in this unique tissue
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Histology
- Wound Healing Research
Background:
- Sex skin presents unique characteristics combining friction and hairy skin properties.
- Understanding wound healing in this specialized tissue is crucial for regenerative medicine.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cellular and tissue-level mechanisms of wound healing in sex skin.
- To elucidate the role of adipose tissue and elastic fibers during the repair process.
Main Methods:
- Light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were employed.
- Analysis of methacrylate- and araldite-embedded sex skin tissue samples.
Main Results:
- Epidermal bridging time correlated with wound margin proximity.
- Dermal repair was faster at the wound gap's periphery than its center.
- Adipose tissue underwent lipolysis, with adipocytes shrinking and fat vesicles phagocytosed by fibroblasts, macrophages, polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), and mast cells.
- Mast cells acquired fatty vacuoles; elastic fibers showed no participation or formation in granulation tissue.
Conclusions:
- Wound healing in sex skin involves distinct patterns of epidermal and dermal repair.
- Adipose tissue actively participates in wound healing through lipolysis and phagocytosis.
- Elastic fibers are not involved in the granulation tissue formation during sex skin wound repair.
