In a study published on Friday, researchers at Rutgers University have found that a molecule released by an intestinal parasite promotes wound healing in mice. After tissue is wounded, the body may heal the wound through skin regeneration or scarring. Regenerated tissue is the same in structure and function as the old tissue, while scarring creates tissues that are different in appearance and prone to various complications.
Dr. George Cotsarelis, director at the University of Pennsylvania Hair and Scalp Clinic and chairman of the department of dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania Health System, who is not involved in the study, said that the body tends to favor scarring over skin regeneration—hence, research has been dedicated to identifying the chemical that would gear the body toward skin regeneration rather than scar formation. “Scar formation can be problematic resulting in complications including pain, restricted movement, and infections,” Gause told The Epoch Times over email, while tissue regeneration “can restore skin function reducing the likelihood of complications.
” “Scars also lack sweat glands, hair follicles, so you don’t have nerve endings,” Cotsarelis said, adding that scar tissues often have limited sensory capacity. Chemicals secreted by the intestinal parasite known as Heligmosomoides polygyrus, which naturally occurs in rodents, were shown to accelerate skin regeneration, the study authors wrote. TGM binds to the TGF-beta receptor,.