#27: A Surprising New Role for Neutrophils in Wound Healing

In this episode of Inflammatory Content, Dr. Kellen Cavagnero breaks down a new Nature paper showing that a subset of skin neutrophils doesn’t just fight bacteria—they also build extracellular matrix (ECM). After injury, these neutrophils rapidly assemble rings of ECM around the wound that strengthen the barrier and limit bacterial entry. This program depends on TGF-β signaling within neutrophils; when that pathway is disabled, the rings fail to form and bacteria penetrate more easily. Relevant Links:• Paper: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40108463/• Commentary: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41577-025-01170-5If you enjoy Inflammatory Content and want to help me keep the conversations going, consider supporting the podcast! You can write a review, share this episode with friends and colleagues, or make a donation to help keep the show ad-free and thriving. Your contributions, big or small, go directly toward covering production costs and allow me to bring you even more Inflammatory Content. You can donate directly here: https://venmo.com/Kellen-Cavagnero.I’d love to hear from you! Feel free to reach out with questions, feedback, or topic suggestions via email at [email protected], on X @KellenCavagnero, or connect with me on LinkedIn.Stay curious and keep exploring at www.inflammatorycontent.com