Cool scars were like a huge part of childhood, like one scar on that one dudes forehead,
or that scar on that mean lion.. what’s his name?
But like, what are scars?
Why do we get them?
Hey guys, julia here for DNews
Last week we got a great question from Richard Colinge asking How do scars form?
And why do they have a different texture and look?
Well Richard you’ve got some great questions and we’ve got some answers!
So in your skin and other tissues, your cells are all connected by what’s called an extracellular
matrix.
This ECM as it’s called helps cells exchange nutrients and share information.
It’s mostly made up of collagen, a strong fibrous kind of material, secreted by cells
called fibroblasts.
Usually the ECM is in a random basket weave type formation.
Scars form when there’s a wound.
When your body is wounded, white blood cells surround the area to stave off any infection.
Your body tries to hold together the edges of the wound by producing collagen from the
fibroblasts.
And white blood cells also help with the production of collagen.
This collagen quickly forms to support the wounded area.
Unfortunately, fibroblasts often produce too much collagen after a wound.
And it isn’t in the same basketweave pattern, it’s more in straight lines facing one direction.
With an excess of collagen in a weird pattern, the tissue isn’t able to do the normal things
it’s supposed to.
Like sweat or grow hair.
And yes, skin cells do replace themselves periodically, but while individual cells are
replaced, the underlying collagen is not.
So that’s why scars persist.
While scars can be helpful and supportive in wound healing, they can also be damaging.
Collagen isn’t very flexible, so sometimes a buildup of scar tissue leads to serious
health problems.
All tissues scar as they repair themselves, not just your skin.
This includes internal tissues like ligaments and organs.
If scar tissue in your organs forms, it’s called fibrosis, even if it’s not caused
by a wound but by an autoimmune disorder or illness.
Such a build up can cause chronic health problems like cystic fibrosis causes damage to the
lungs and sometimes other organs like kidneys and liver.
So besides being slightly unsightly, scars can mess things up.
So scientists are working on ways to stop scar production.
One study published in the journal Nature Cell Biology found a way to turn down fibroblasts
activity.
The researchers discovered that after a while, fibroblasts enter a state of senescence, meaning
they don’t reproduce.
The senescent cells stopped making collagen and even contributed to breaking it down.
The researchers also discovered a specific protein called CCN1 that actually induced
the senescent state in fibroblasts.
So they created a topical cream that contained that protein, and lo and behold actually stopped
scars from forming… in mice.
So more research is needed on that front.
Anyway I hope that answers your questions, Richard!
Switching gears for a second, GUYS GUYS GUYS.
We’re having a space hang out!
As NASA is about to fly-by Pluto, we're doing a live Google Hangout with our awesome space
producer Ian O'Neill and a special guest INSIDE MISSION CONTROL!
WHAT CRAZY RIGHT?!
I’m so stoked.
It’s all happening July 14 at 1pm Pacific 4pm Eastern.
SO be there or be square!
RSVP on the event page for a reminder!
Theres a link down in the description too!
Alrighty, so do you any of you guys have a cool scar?
One that looks like a perfect map of the london underground perhaps?
Tell us about it down below!