Work

PDGF signaling regulates the adipocyte-to-fibroblast transition in wound healing

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Adipocytes are plastic cells with the ability to transition into fibroblast-like cells during tissue repair or physiological remodeling. It is unclear how such transitions are regulated and whether they exemplify cell plasticity or merely a transient suppression of adipocyte features. Fibroblasts express platelet-derived growth factor receptors ( Pdgfra and Pdgfrb ), while adipocytes express adiponectin ( Adipoq ). Here, we use two-step lineage tracing to label Pdgfra + and Pdgfrb + cells originating from Adipoq + adipocytes. Adipocyte-derived Pdgfr + cells (ADPCs) are induced adjacent to skin wounds and contribute to the wound fibroblast population. ADPCs lose adipocyte characteristics and acquire fibroblast characteristics, including collagen expression, smooth muscle actin expression, and cell proliferation. Active PDGFRα signaling in ADPCs increases cell proliferation and improves wound angiogenesis and re-epithelialization, while deletion of Pdgfra has the opposite effect. Wound ADPCs persist as fibroblast-like cells after completion of wound healing, indicating an enduring change rather than a transient downregulation of adipocyte characteristics.

Source: Cell Reports

DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2026.117421

Authors: Longbiao Yao, Sunhye Jeong, Jacob Bass, Hae Ryong Kwon, Lorin E. Olson

Institution: Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation

Language: English

Topic: Wound Healing and Treatments

Subfield: Rehabilitation

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $5,620