Vaseline and Neosporin treated human popliteal fossae (PF) skin wound bed

Environmental factors that enhance regeneration are largely unknown. We hypothesized that skin bacteria modulate regeneration. Here, we assessed low, medium, and high levels of bacterial burden in Wound Induced Hair follicle Neogenesis (WIHN), a rare adult organogenesis model. WIHN levels and stem cell markers indeed correlated with bacterial counts, being lowest in germ free (GF), intermediate in conventional specific pathogen free (SPF), and highest even in mice infected with pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus. We identified IL-1β and keratinocyte-dependent IL-1R-MyD88 signaling as necessary and sufficient for bacteria to promote regeneration. Finally, in a small clinical trial, we found that a topical broad-spectrum antibiotic slowed skin wound healing. These results counter conventional notions that infection inhibits regeneration and the need for full sterility of small wounds. 4-mm punch biopsies, microbiome swabs, and clinical photographs of bilateral popliteal fossae (PF). were obtained from participants under the above IRB protocol. Participants were asked to avoid washing 24 hours prior to sample collection and to use scent-free, non-antibacterial soap for the duration of the study. Samples were collected at two visits spanning an average of 15 days, including at a baseline visit prior to intervention (Day 0) and at a follow-up visit following secondary intention to obtain post-treatment samples (Day 15). A total of 12 skin biopsies were obtained from 3 individuals at identical anatomical sites across 2 time points. For tissue collection, 1% lidocaine with epinephrine was administered, and 4mm full-thickness punch biopsies were obtained from the center PF. For the left PF, the wound was washed with Hibiclens (Molnlycke, 57516), and Neosporin was applied (Johnson & Johnson); for the right PF, Vaseline (Unilever) was applied. Both sites were occluded with bandages, and participants were asked to rebandage left and right PF daily with Neosporin and Vaseline, respectively, until wound closure to evaluate the changes in gene expressions.