A group of researchers from China have identified Insulin-like Growth Factor 2 (IGF2) in oral mucosa as a key factor in accelerating the process of wound healing without scars.

The oral mucosa is the mucous membrane that lines in the inside of the mouth. Compared to skin wounds, oral wounds can heal faster and without leaving scars.

This made the oral mucosa, “an ideal model for studying scarless wound healing”​, said the researchers from the Zunyi Medical University in China.

“Although there is no difference in the wound healing stages of skin and oral mucosa, the healing rate of oral mucosal wounds is faster than that of skin wounds, and most importantly, without scarring.​“

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