Fig. 7: Scheme of N-cadherin mediated fascia EPF swarms upon wounding and scarring. | Nature Communications

Fig. 7: Scheme of N-cadherin mediated fascia EPF swarms upon wounding and scarring.

From: Injury triggers fascia fibroblast collective cell migration to drive scar formation through N-cadherin

Fig. 7

upon deep wounding, fascia EPFs assemble into aggregates and migrate collectively towards wound centre and then swarm towards epidermis by N-cadherin (purple) mediated cell-cell adhesion. Fascia EPF swarming triggers fascia mobilisation into wounds, contracts skin and drives scar formation. EPF swarms are absent in the tissues without fascia (e.g. oral mucosa) or when N-cadherin is inhibited by chemicals (eg. Exherin) or genetic mutations. The absence of collective migration of fascia EPF swarms results in less scar formation.

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