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Biophysical and Metabolic Cues in the Microenvironment of Skin Wounds: Implications for Stem Cell Behaviour and Epidermal Regeneration

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DOI: 10.23977/medsc.2026.070116 | Downloads: 4 | Views: 34

Author(s)

Huan Li 1, Jie Jing 1

Affiliation(s)

1 School and Hospital of Stomatology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China

Corresponding Author

Jie Jing

ABSTRACT

Skin wounds represent a significant challenge in global public health. Successful healing requires not only effective control of infection and inflammation but also a supportive tissue microenvironment that supports stem cell–driven regeneration. Most previous reviews have focused on soluble mediators such as cytokines, growth factors and proteases. However, emerging evidence indicates that biophysical and metabolic cues—including oxygen tension, nutrient availability, tissue mechanics, surface pH, ionic composition and endogenous electric fields—exert profound regulatory effects on the behaviour of resident epidermal and hair follicle stem cells, dermal progenitors and transplanted stem cell products in the wound bed. Gaining a thorough understanding of how skin stem cells perceive and integrate biophysical and metabolic signals is crucial for rationally designing next-generation treatment strategies for burns and other wounds.

KEYWORDS

Skin wound healing, Stem cells, Mechanotransduction, Hypoxia, Metabolic reprogramming, pH, Electric field, Microenvironment

CITE THIS PAPER

Huan Li, Jie Jing. Biophysical and Metabolic Cues in the Microenvironment of Skin Wounds: Implications for Stem Cell Behaviour and Epidermal Regeneration. MEDS Clinical Medicine (2026). Vol. 7, No.1, 156-167. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.23977/medsc.2026.070116.

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