Fat cells help wounds heal

fat cells in fruit flies play an alarming role in wound healing and preventing infection, researchers at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom reported recently in the journal
. These cells were previously thought to be immobile, but the researchers found that they creeped toward the wound like bugs, rather than sticking to or peeling off other structures like most moving cells.
fat cells perform some useful functions when they reach the wound site. "They work harder and more like a team member than they used to." Paul Martin, senior author of the study, said. Usually 1 to 4 cells can block the wound, playing a similar role to "knots". Moreover, fat cells can excrete bacteria while helping to produce antibacterial factors to prevent infection.
but the way fat cells reach the wound is still surprising. Martin, Will Wood, Anna Franz and colleagues recorded the movement of fly immune cells (blood cells) and noticed huge shadows moving on the screen. "I want to know if these are huge fat cells. Of course, we've always thought they shouldn't move because fat cells don't move. Franz said.
results show that these are indeed fat cells, and that they have a unique way of moving. They swim in a "wriggle" method. Fat cells do not use frictional motion, but through the contraction of myocardial protein, myoglobin to complete the migration.
we also have to make sure they're not drifting, they're staying at the wound site," he said. Martin said. The results showed that fat cells were able to reach the wound even without immune cells. Moreover, they collaborate with blood cells that are already gathered here: blood cells are responsible for "cleaning up" cell fragments, while fat cells cling to the wound until the new tissue regenerates.
, the researchers say that while it can be confirmed that fat cells are not called by immune cells, it is still unclear how they know how to reach the wound. (Source: Science Network Tang One Dust)