Transforming growth factor-beta signaling in skin: stromal to epithelial cross-talk.

In this issue, Denton et al., describe a mouse model of postnatal deletion of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta receptor type II (TbetaRII) in skin fibroblasts. Using a tamoxifen-dependent inducible Cre-lox strategy, the authors demonstrate the pivotal role played by TGF-beta signaling in fibroblasts during wound healing. Healing of full-thickness wounds after fibroblast-specific deletion of TbetaRII in the skin was severely impaired and exhibited delayed re-epithelialization. This study emphasizes the importance of fibroblasts in mesenchymal-epithelial interaction in the skin during wound repair.