Activating autophagy promotes skin regeneration induced by mechanical stretch during tissue expansion

Tissue expansion, a technique in which skin regeneration is induced by mechanical stretch stimuli, is commonly used for tissue repair and reconstruction. In this study, we aimed to monitor the autophagy levels of expanded skin after the application of expansion stimuli and explore the effect of autophagy modulation on skin regeneration.

A rat scalp expansion model was established to provide a stable expanded skin response to mechanical stretch. Autophagy levels at different time points (6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h after the last expansion) were detected via western blotting. The effect of autophagy regulation on skin regeneration during tissue expansion was evaluated via skin expansion efficiency assessment, western blotting, immunofluorescence staining, TUNEL staining and laser Doppler blood flow imaging.

The autophagic flux reached its highest level 48 h after tissue expansion. Activating autophagy by rapamycin increased the area of expanded skin as well as the thicknesses of epidermis and dermis. Furthermore, activating autophagy accelerated skin regeneration during tissue expansion by enhancing the proliferation of cells and the number of epidermal basal and hair follicle stem cells, reducing apoptosis, improving angiogenesis, and promoting collagen synthesis and growth factor secretion. Conversely, the regenerative effects were reversed when autophagy was blocked.

Autophagy modulation may be a promising therapeutic strategy for improving the efficiency of tissue expansion and preventing the incidence of the complication of skin necrosis.