Vimentin coordinates fibroblast proliferation and keratinocyte differentiation in wound healing via TGF-β–Slug signaling

Abstract

Significance The central concept in this study is that a major cytoskeletal component, vimentin, acts as a signal integrator during wound healing, operating in both signal-triggering and signal-receiving cells. This is a previously unreported concept for intermediate filaments, with an evolving paradigm according to which intermediate filaments emerge as integrators of regeneration with specific functions in the particular tissues for which individual intermediate filaments are characteristic. Our study reveals the underlying molecular and cellular control functions of vimentin in vimentin-dependent epithelial–mesenchymal transition, regeneration, and healing.