A new study published in Nature Communications has identified a key long non-coding RNA molecule, SNHG26, that plays a crucial role in guiding skin cells through the stages of wound healing. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet and the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences have made this discovery, which may lead to new therapeutic approaches for acute and chronic wounds.
The study focused on the molecular processes involved in wound healing, including the transition from inflammation to a proliferative phase where new cells form to repair damaged tissue. The researchers mapped lncRNA molecules in human skin wounds and identified SNHG26 as a key regulator of this process.
In mouse models lacking SNHG26, wound healing was delayed, highlighting the molecule’s importance in maintaining balance between inflammation and tissue repair. This discovery paves the way for new treatments to accelerate healing and reduce complications, particularly in chronic wounds where prolonged inflammation is a major problem.
The research group at Karolinska Institutet is further studying how regulatory RNA molecules control skin healing processes, aiming to develop innovative treatments for hard-to-heal wounds.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2024-10-key-molecule-wound-coding-rna.html