Schwann cells contribute to keloid formation

Direder, M.; Weiss, T.; Copic, D.; Vorstandlechner, V.; Laggner, M.; Mildner, C. S.; Klas, K.; Bormann, D.; Haslik, W.; Radtke, C.; Farlik, M.; Shaw, L.; Golabi, B.; Tschachler, E.; Hoetzenecker, K.; Ankersmit, H. J.; Mildner, M.

Keloids are disfiguring, hypertrophic scars with yet poorly understood pathomechanisms, which could lead to severe functional impairments. Here we analyzed the characteristics of keloidal cells by single cell sequencing and discovered the presence of an abundant population of Schwann cells that persisted in the hypertrophic scar tissue after wound healing. In contrast to normal skin, keloidal Schwann cells possess a repair-like phenotype and high cellular plasticity. Our data support the hypothesis that keloidal Schwann cells contribute to the formation of the extracellular matrix and are able to affect M2 polarization of macrophages. Indeed, we show that macrophages in keloids predominantly display a M2 polarization and produce factors that inhibit Schwann cell differentiation. Our data suggest a contribution of this cross-talk to the continuous expansion of keloids, and that targeting Schwann cells might represent an interesting novel treatment option for keloids.