A recent discovery by scientists could hold the key to revolutionizing regenerative medicine and addressing the global healthcare cost of managing poorly healing wounds, which exceeds a staggering $250 billion annually.
Lead researcher, Associate Professor Mikaël Martino from Monash University's Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute (ARMI) in Melbourne, Australia, stated, "The discovery sheds light on the crucial role of sensory neurons in orchestrating the repair and regeneration of tissues, offering promising implications for improving patient outcomes."
The study, published in Nature, revealed a molecule involved in tissue healing, which, when injected into animal models, resulted in a remarkable acceleration of wound closure – up to 2.5 times faster – and 1.6 times more muscle regeneration.
"In adults with diabetes alone, the lifetime risk of developing a diabetic foot ulcer (DFU), the most common diabetes-related wound, is 20 to 35 per cent," shared co-lead author, ARMI's Dr. Yen-Zhen Lu. The increasing longevity and medical complexity of people with diabetes are contributing to this growing concern.
The research highlighted the vital role of nociceptive sensory neurons, also known as nociceptors, in detecting potentially damaging stimuli in tissues, such as tissue damage, inflammation, extremes in temperature, and pressure.
Associate Professor Martino emphasized, "By harnessing neuro-immune interactions, the team aims to develop innovative therapies that address one of the root causes of impaired tissue healing, offering hope to millions."
