Wound healing

Wound healing, or wound repair, is the body's natural process of regenerating dermaland epidermaltissue. When an individual is wounded, a set of events takes place in a predictable fashion to repair the damage. These events overlap in time (Midwood et al., 2004) and must be artificially categorized into separate steps: the inflammatory, proliferative, and maturation phases (Some authors consider healing to take place in four stages, by splitting different parts inflammation or proliferation into separate steps (Quinn, 1998; Dealey, 1999; Iba, 2004).

In the inflammatory phase, bacteriaand debris are phagocytized and removed and factors are released that cause the migration and division of cells involved in the proliferative phase.

The proliferative phase is characterized by angiogenesis, collagendeposition, granulation tissueformation, epithelialization, and wound contraction (Midwood et al., 2004). In angiogenesis, new blood vessels grow from endothelial cells(Chang et al., 2004; Midwood et al., 2004). In fibroplasia and granulation tissue formation, fibroblastsgrow and form a new, provisional extracellular matrix(ECM) by excreting collagenand fibronectin(Midwood et al., 2004). In epithelialization, epithelial cellscrawl across the wound bed to cover it (Garg, 2000; Chang et al., 2004; Midwood et al., 2004). In contraction, the wound is made smaller by the action of myofibroblasts, which establish a grip on the wound edges and contract themselves using a mechanism similar to that in smooth muscle cells (Garg, 2000; Midwood et al., 2004). When the cells' roles are close to complete, unneeded cells undergo apoptosis (Midwood et al., 2004).

In maturation and remodeling, collagen is remodeled and realigned along tension lines and cells that are no longer needed are removed by apoptosis.

A more detailed account of the events in the three phases follows.

Inflammatory phase

In the inflammatory phase, clottingtakes place in order to obtain hemostasis, or stop blood loss, and various factors are released to attract cells that phagocytisedebris, bacteria, and damaged tissue and release factors that initiate the proliferative phase of wound healing.

Clotting cascade

When tissueis first wounded, blood comes in contact with collagen, triggering blood plateletsto begin secreting inflammatory factors (Rosenberg and de la Torre, 2003). Platelets also express glycoproteinson their cell membranesthat allow them to stick to one another and to aggregate, forming a mass (Rosenberg and de la Torre, 2003; Midwood et al., 2004).

Fibrinand fibronectincross-link together and form a plug that traps proteinsand particles and prevents further blood loss (Theoret, 2004; Santoro and Gaudino, 2005). This fibrin-fibronectin plug is also the main structural support for the wound until collagen is deposited (Midwood et al., 2004). Migratory cells use this plug as a matrix to crawl across (Mulvaney and Harrington, 1994; Larjava et al., 2002; Midwood et al., 2004; Theoret, 2004), and platelets adhere to it and secrete factors (Scholar and Stadelmann, 2003; Midwood et al., 2004; Santoro and Gaudino, 2005). The clot is eventually lysed and replaced with granulation tissueand then later with collagen (Mulvaney and Harrington, 1994; Midwood et al., 2004).

Platelets

Platelets, the cells present in the highest numbers shortly after wounding (Scholar and Stadelmann, 2003), release a number of factors into the blood, including ECM proteins and cytokines, including growth factors(Midwood et al., 2004; Rosenberg and de la Torre, 2003). Growth factors stimulate cells to speed their rate of division (Dealey, 1999; Theoret, 2004). Platelets also release other proinflammatory factors like serotonin, bradykinin, prostaglandins, prostacyclins, thromboxane, and histamine(Stadelmann et al, 1998), which serve a number of purposes, including to increase cell proliferation and migration to the area and to cause blood vesselsto become dilated and porous.

Vasoconstriction and vasodilation

Immediately after a blood vesselis breached, ruptured cell membranesrelease inflammatory factors like thromboxanesand prostaglandinsthat cause the vessel to spasm to prevent blood loss and to collect inflammatory cells and factors in the area (Stadelmann et al, 1998; Rosenberg and de la Torre, 2003; Scholar and Stadelmann, 2003). This vasoconstrictionlasts five to ten minutes (Stadelmann et al, 1998; Theoret, 2004) and is followed by vasodilation, a widening of blood vessels, which peaks at about 20 minutes post-wounding (Stadelmann et al, 1998). Vasodilation is the result of factors released by platelets and other cells (Stadelmann et al, 1998). The main factor involved in causing vasodilation is histamine(Stadelmann et al, 1998; Rosenberg and de la Torre, 2003). Histamine also causes blood vessels to become porous, allowing the tissue to become edematousbecause proteins from the bloodstream leak into the extravascular space and draw water in after them by osmosis(Stadelmann et al, 1998; Scholar and Stadelmann, 2003). Increased porousness of blood vessels also facilitates the entry of inflammatory cells like leukocytesinto the wound site from the blood stream (Dealey, 1999; Rosenberg and de la Torre, 2003; Scholar and Stadelmann, 2003; Theoret, 2004).

Polymorphonuclear neutrophils

Within an hour of wounding, polymorphonuclear neutrophils(PMNs) arrive at the wound site and become the predominant cells in the wound (Deodhar and Rana, 1997) for the first three days after the injury occurs, with especially high numbers on the second day (Scholar and Stadelmann, 2003). They are attracted to the site by fibronectin (Dealey, 1999), growth factors, and substances such as neuropeptides and kinnins. Neutropihils phagocytise debris and bacteria (Stadelmann et al, 1998; Deodhar and Rana, 1997; Dealey, 1999; Rosenberg and de la Torre, 2003; Theoret, 2004) and also kill bacteria by releasing free radicalsin what is called a 'respiratory burst' (Greenhalgh, 1998; Stadelmann et al, 1998; Muller et al., 2003; Rosenberg and de la Torre, 2003; Theoret, 2004; Martin and Leibovich, 2005). They also cleanse the wound (Midwood et al., 2004) by secreting proteases that break down damaged tissue (Stadelmann et al, 1998). Neutrophils usually undergo apoptosis once they have completed their tasks and are engulfed and degraded by macrophages(Martin and Leibovich, 2005).

Other leukocytes to enter the area include helper T cells, which secrete cytokinesto cause more T cells to divide and to increase inflammation and enhance vasodilation and vessel permeability (Dealey, 1999; Santoro and Gaudino, 2005). T cells also increase the activity of macrophages (Dealey, 1999).

Macrophages

Macrophages, essential to wound healing (Greenhalgh, 1998; Scholar and Stadelmann, 2003), replace PMNs as the predominant cells in the wound by two days after injury (Expert Reviews, 2003). Attracted to the wound site by growth factors released by platelets and other cells (Midwood et al, 2004; Santoro and Gaudino, 2005), monocytesfrom the blood stream enter the area through blood vessel walls (Stadelmann et al, 1998; Lorenz and Longaker, 2003). Numbers of monocytes in the wound peak one to one and a half days after the injury occurs (Santoro and Gaudino, 2005). Once they are in the wound site, monocytes mature into macrophages, the main cell type that clears the wound area of bacteria and debris (Scholar and Stadelmann, 2003).

The macrophage's main role is to phagocytise bacteria and damaged tissue (Deodhar and Rana, 1997; Greenhalgh, 1998; Scholar and Stadelmann, 2003; Santoro and Gaudino, 2005), and it also debrides damaged tissue by releasing proteases (Deodhar and Rana, 1997; Rosenberg and de la Torre, 2003). Macrophages also secrete a number of factors such as growth factors and other cytokines (Lorenz and Longaker, 2003; Midwood et al., 2004), especially during the third and fourth post-wounding days (Mercandetti and Cohen, 2005), which attract cells involved in the proliferation stage of healing to the area (Deodhar and Rana, 1997; Dealey, 1999; Rosenberg and de la Torre, 2003). Macrophages are stimulated by the low oxygen content of their surroundings to produce factors that induce and speed angiogenesis(Greenhalgh, 1998), and they also stimulate cells that reepithelialize the wound, create granulation tissue, and lay down a new extracellular matrix(Stadelmann et al, 1998; Stashak et al, 2004; Mercandetti and Cohen, 2005). Because they secrete these factors, macrophages are vital for pushing the wound healing process into the next phase.

Because of the roles played by inflammation in fighting infection and inducing the proliferation phase, it is a necessary part of healing. However, inflammation can lead to tissue damage if it lasts too long (Greenhalgh, 1998; Midwood et al., 2004) and thus its reduction is frequently a goal in therapeutic settings. Inflammation lasts as long as there are debris in the wound. Thus the presence of dirt or other objects can extend the inflammatory phase for too long, leading to a chronic wound. As inflammation dies down, fewer inflammatory factors are secreted, existing ones are broken down (Romo and McLaughlin, 2003), and numbers of neutrophils and macrophages are reduced at the wound site (Scholar and Stadelmann, 2003). These changes indicate that the inflammatory phase is ending and the proliferative phase is underway (Scholar and Stadelmann, 2003).

Proliferative phase

About two or three days after the wound occurs, fibroblasts begin to enter the wound site, marking the onset of the proliferative phase even before the inflammatory phase has ended (Expert Reviews, 2003; Scholar and Stadelmann, 2003; Falanga, 2005). As in the other phases of wound healing steps in the proliferative phase do not occur in a series but rather partially overlap in time (Mercandetti and Cohen, 2005).

Angiogenesis

Also called neovascularization, the process of angiogenesis occurs concurrently with fibroblast proliferation (Stadelmann et al, 1998; Scholar and Stadelmann, 2003) when endothelial cells migrate to the area of the wound (Kuwahara, 2005). Because the activity of fibroblasts and epithelial cells requires oxygen, angiogenesis is imperative for other stages in wound healing like epidermal and fibroblast migration (Stadelmann et al, 1998). The tissue in which angiogenesis has occurred typically looks red (is erythematous) due to the presence of capillaries(Kuwahara, 2005).

In order to form new blood vesselsand provide oxygen and nutrients to the healing tissue (Romo and McLaughlin, 2003), stem cellscalled endothelial cells originating from parts of uninjured blood vessels (Dealey, 1999; Romo and McLaughlin, 2003; Scholar and Stadelmann, 2003; Bauer et al., 2005; Mercandetti and Cohen, 2005) develop pseudopodiaand push through the ECM into the wound site, and establish new blood vessels (Greenhalgh, 1998; Deodhar and Rana, 1997). To migrate, endothelial cells need collagenases(Deodhar and Rana, 1997) and plasminogen activatorto degrade the clot and part of the ECM (Stadelmann et al, 1998; Scholar and Stadelmann, 2003). Zinc-dependent metalloproteinasesdigest basement membraneand ECM to allow cell proliferation and angiogenesis (Lansdown, 2001; Bauer et al., 2005; Mercandetti and Cohen, 2005).

Endothelial cellsare also attracted to the wound area by fibronectin found on the fibrin scab and by growth factors released by other cells (Deodhar and Rana, 1997; Romo and McLaughlin, 2003; Falanga, 2005). Endothelial growth and proliferation is also stimulated by hypoxia and presence of lactic acid in the wound (Falanga, 2005). In a low-oxygen environment, macrophages and platelets produce angiogenic factors (Deodhar and Rana, 1997) which attract endothelial cells chemotactically. When macrophages and other growth factor-producing cells are no longer in a hypoxic, lactic acid-filled environment, they stop producing angiogenic factors (Greenhalgh, 1998). Thus, when tissue is adequately perfused, migration and proliferation of endothelial cells is reduced (Romo and McLaughlin, 2003). Eventually blood vessels that are no longer needed die by apoptosis(Romo and McLaughlin, 2003).

Fibroplasia and granulation tissue formation

Simultaneously with angiogenesis, fibroblastsbegin accumulating in the wound site. Fibroblasts begin entering the wound site two (Stadelmann et al, 1998) to five days after wounding as the inflammatory phase is ending (Greenhalgh, 1998; Lorenz and Longaker, 2003; Romo and McLaughlin, 2003; Mercandetti and Cohen, 2005) and their numbers peak at one to two weeks post-wounding (Scholar and Stadelmann, 2003). By the end of the first week, fibroblasts are the main cells in the wound (Stadelmann et al, 1998; Scholar and Stadelmann, 2003; Lorenz and Longaker, 2003). Fibroplasia ends two (Romo and McLaughlin, 2003) to four weeks after wounding (Mercandetti and Cohen, 2005).

In the first two or three days after injury, fibroblasts mainly proliferate and migrate (Stadelmann et al, 1998). Later, they are the main cells that lay down the collagen matrix (Stadelmann et al, 1998). Fibroblasts from normal tissue migrate into the wound area from its margins (Scholar and Stadelmann, 2003). Initially fibroblasts use the fibrin scab formed in the inflammatory phase to migrate across (Lorenz and Longaker, 2003; Scholar and Stadelmann, 2003), adhering to fibronectin (Romo and McLaughlin, 2003). Fibroblasts then deposit ground substanceinto the wound bed, and later collagen, which they can adhere to for migration (Rosenberg and de la Torre, 2003).

Granulation tissueis needed to fill the void that has been left by a large, open wound that crosses the basement membrane. It begins to appear in the wound even during the inflammatory phase (Deodhar and Rana, 1997; Romo and McLaughlin, 2003) two (Kuwahara, 2005) to five days post wounding (Deodhar and Rana, 1997; Romo and McLaughlin, 2003) and continues growing until the wound bed is covered (Scholar and Stadelmann, 2003). Granulation tissue consists of new blood vessels, fibroblasts, inflammatory cells, endothelial cells, myofibroblasts, and the components of a new, provisional ECM (Lorenz and Longaker, 2003). The provisional ECM is different in composition from the ECM in normal tissue and includes fibronectin, collagen, glycosaminoglycans, and proteoglycans(Romo and McLaughlin, 2003). Its main components are fibronectin and hyaluronan, which create a very hydrated matrix and facilitate cell migration (Lorenz and Longaker, 2003). Later this provisional matrix is replaced with an ECM that more closely resembles that found in non-injured tissue.

Fibroblasts deposit ECM molecules (Garg, 2000) like glycoproteins, glycosaminoglycans(GAGs), proteoglycans, elastin, and fibronectin, which they can then use to migrate across the wound (Cohen, 2005).

Growth factors and fibronectin encourage proliferation, migration to the wound bed, and production of ECM molecules by fibroblasts (Dealey, 1999; Romo and McLaughlin, 2003; Rosenberg and de la Torre, 2003; Scholar and Stadelmann, 2003; Falanga, 2005; Santoro and Gaudino, 2005). Fibroblasts also secrete growth factors that attract epithelial cells to the wound site. Hypoxia also contributes to fibroblast proliferation and excretion of growth factors (Falanga, 2004; Falanga, 2005), though too little oxygen will inhibit their growth (Dealey, 1999) and deposition of ECM components (Greenhalgh, 1998), and can lead to excessive, fibrotic scarring (Falanga, 2004).

One of fibroblasts' most important duties is the production of collagen(Kuwahara, 2005). Fibroblasts begin secreting appreciable collagen by the second or third post-wounding day (Dealey, 1999; Lorenz and Longaker, 2003; Romo and McLaughlin, 2003), and its deposition peaks at one to three weeks (Stadelmann et al, 1998; Mercandetti and Cohen, 2005). Collagen production continues rapidly for two to four weeks (Romo and McLaughlin, 2003), after which its destruction matches its production and so its growth levels off (Greenhalgh, 1998; Stadelmann et al, 1998; Expert Reviews, 2003).

Collagen deposition is important because it increases the strength of the wound; before it is laid down, the only thing holding the wound closed is the fibrin-fibronectin clot, which does not provide much resistance to traumatic injury(Greenhalgh, 1998). Also, cells involved in inflammation, angiogenesis, and connective tissue construction attach to, grow and differentiate on the collagen matrix laid down by fibroblasts (Ruszczak, 2003).

Even as fibroblasts are producing new collagen, collagenases and other factors degrade collagen (Greenhalgh, 1998; Romo and McLaughlin, 2003). Shortly after wounding, synthesis exceeds degradation so collagen levels in the wound rise, but later production and degradation become equal so there is no net collagen gain. This homeostasis signals the onset of the maturation phase (Stadelmann et al, 1998). Granulation gradually ceases and fibroblasts decrease in number in the wound once their work is done (DiPietro and Burns, 2003). At the end of the granulation phase, fibroblasts begin to commit apoptosis, converting granulation tissue from an environment rich in cells to one that consists mainly of collagen (Stadelmann et al, 1998).

Epithelialization

The formation of granulation tissue in an open wound allows the reepithelialization phase to take place, as epithelial cells migrate across the new tissue to form a barrier between the wound and the environment (Romo and McLaughlin, 2003). Basalkeratinocytesfrom the wound edges and dermal appendagessuch as hair follicles, sweat glandsand sebacious (oil) glandsare the main cells responsible for the epithelialization phase of wound healing (Rosenberg and de la Torre, 2003; DiPietro and Burns, 2003). They advance in a sheet across the wound site and proliferate at its edges, ceasing movement when they meet in the middle.

Keratinocytes migrate without first proliferating (Deodhar and Rana, 1997; Larjava et al., 2002; Bartkova et al., 2003; Lorenz and Longaker, 2003). Migration can begin as early as a few hours after wounding (Deodhar and Rana, 1997; Romo and McLaughlin, 2003). However, epithelial cells require viable tissue to migrate across, so if the wound is deep it must first be filled with granulation tissue (Mulvaney and Harrington, 1994; Garg, 2000; DiPietro and Burns, 2003). Thus the time of onset of migration is variable and may occur about one day after wounding (Larjava et al., 2002; DiPietro and Burns, 2003). Cells on the wound margins proliferate on the second and third day post-wounding in order to provide more cells for migration (Deodhar and Rana, 1997; DiPietro and Burns, 2003; Mercandetti and Cohen, 2005).

If the basement membrane is not breached, epithelial cells are replaced within three days by division and upward migration of cells in the stratum basalein the same fashion that occurs in uninjured skin (Romo and McLaughlin, 2003). However, if the basement membraneis ruined at the wound site, reepithelization must occur from the wound margins and from skin appendages such as hair follicles and sweat and oil glands that enter the dermisthat are lined with viable keratinocytes (Mercandetti and Cohen, 2005). If the wound is very deep, skin appendages may also be ruined and migration can only occur from wound edges (Mulvaney and Harrington, 1994; Deodhar and Rana, 1997).

Migration of keratinocytes over the wound site is stimulated by lack of contact inhibition(Stadelmann et al, 1998) and by chemicals such as nitric oxide(Witte and Barbul, 2002). Before they begin to migrate, cells must dissolve their desmosomesand hemidesmosomes, which normally anchor the cells by intermediate filamentsin their cytoskeletonto other cells and to the ECM (Larjava et al., 2002; Romo and McLaughlin, 2003; Santoro and Gaudino, 2005). Transmembrane receptorproteinscalled integrins, which are made of glycoproteins(Kimball, 2005) and normally anchor the cell to the basement membrane by its cytoskeleton, are released from the cell's intermediate filaments and relocate to actinfilaments to serve as attachments to the ECM for pseudopodiaduring migration (Santoro and Gaudino, 2005). Thus keratinocytes detach from the basement membrane and are able to enter the wound bed (Falanga, 2005).

Before they begin migrating, keratinocytes change shape, becoming longer and flatter and extending cellular processes like lamellipodiaand wide processes that look like ruffles (Larjava et al., 2002; Lorenz and Longaker, 2003). Actinfilaments and pseudopodiaform (Romo and McLaughlin, 2003; Falanga, 2005). During migration, integrinson the pseudopod attach to the ECM (Garg, 2000; Larjava et al., 2002; Lorenz and Longaker, 2003; Romo and McLaughlin, 2003) and the actin filaments in the projection pull the cell along (Santoro and Gaudino, 2005). The interaction with molecules in the ECM through integrins further promotes the formation of actin filaments, lamellipodia, and filopodia(Santoro and Gaudino, 2005).

Epithelial cells climb over one another in order to migrate (DiPietro and Burns, 2003). This growing sheet of epithelial cells is often called the epithelial tongue (Bartkova et al., 2003). The first cells to attach to the basement membraneform the stratum basale(DiPietro and Burns, 2003). These basal cells continue to migrate across the wound bed, and epithelial cells above them slide along as well (Bartkova et al., 2003). The more quickly this migration occurs, the less of a scar there will be (Son et al., 2005).

Fibrin, collagen, and fibronectin in the ECM may further signal cells to divide and migrate (Romo and McLaughlin, 2003). Like fibroblasts, migrating keratinocytes use the fibronectin cross-linked with fibrin that was deposited in inflammation as an attachment site to crawl across (Romo and McLaughlin, 2003; Lorenz and Longaker, 2003; DiPietro and Burns, 2003; Deodhar and Rana, 1997).

As keratinocytes migrate, they move over granulation tissue but underneath the scab(if one was formed), separating it from the underlying tissue (Larjava et al., 2002; DiPietro and Burns, 2003; Romo and McLaughlin, 2003). Epithelial cells have the ability to phagocytize debris such as dead tissue and bacterial matter that would otherwise obstruct their path (Larjava et al., 2002). Because they must dissolve any scab that forms, keratinocyte migration is best enhanced by a moist environment, since a dry one leads to formation of a bigger, tougher scab (Deodhar and Rana, 1997; DiPietro and Burns, 2003; Romo and McLaughlin, 2003; Falanga, 2004). To make their way along the tissue, keratinocytes must dissolve the clot, debris, and parts of the ECM in order to get through (Larjava et al., 2002; Etscheid et al., 2005; Falanga, 2005). They secrete plasminogen activator, which activates plasminto dissolve the scab (Deodhar and Rana, 1997; Romo and McLaughlin, 2003; Etscheid et al., 2005). Cells can only migrate over living tissue (DiPietro and Burns, 2003), so they must excrete collagenasas and proteases like matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs) to dissolve damaged parts of the ECM in their way (Deodhar and Rana, 1997; Romo and McLaughlin, 2003; Falanga, 2005), particularly at the front of the migrating sheet (Larjava et al., 2002). Keratinocytes also dissolve the basement membrane, using instead the new ECM laid down by fibroblasts to crawl across (Santoro and Gaudino, 2005).

As keratinocytes continue migrating, new epithelial cells must be formed at the wound edges to replace them and to provide more cells for the advancing sheet (Deodhar and Rana, 1997; Bartkova et al., 2003; Santoro and Gaudino, 2005). Proliferation behind migrating keratinocytes normally begins a few days after wounding (Mulvaney and Harrington, 1994) and occurs at a rate that is 17 times higher in this stage of epithelialization than in normal tissues (Deodhar and Rana, 1997). Until the entire wound area is resurfaced, the only epithelial cells to proliferate are at the wound edges (Bartkova et al., 2003).

Growth factors, stimulated by integrins and MMPs, cause cells to proliferate at the wound edges (Santoro and Gaudino, 2005). Keratinocytes themselves also produce and secrete factors, including growth factors and basement membrane proteins, which aid both in epithelialization and in other phases of healing (Bayram et al., 2005).

Keratinocytes continue migrating across the wound bed until cells from either side meet in the middle, at which point contact inhibitioncauses them to stop migrating (Stadelmann et al, 1998; DiPietro and Burns, 2003; Lorenz and Longaker, 2003). When they have finished migrating, the keratinocytes secrete the proteins that form the new basement membrane (Lorenz and Longaker, 2003). Cells reverse the morphological changes they underwent in order to begin migrating; they reestablish desmosomesand hemidesmosomesand become anchored once again to the basement membrane (Romo and McLaughlin, 2003; Santoro and Gaudino, 2005). Basal cellsbegin to divide and differentiate in the same manner as they do in normal skin to reestablish the strata found in reepithelialized skin (Lorenz and Longaker, 2003).

Contraction

Around a week after the wounding takes place, fibroblasts have differentiated into myofibroblastsand the wound begins to contract (DiPietro and Burns, 2003; Mulvaney and Harrington, 1994; Stadelmann et al, 1998; Eichler and Carlson, 2005). In full thickness wounds, contraction peaks at 5 to 15 days post wounding (Deodhar and Rana, 1997; Romo and McLaughlin, 2003). Contraction can last for several weeks (Mulvaney and Harrington, 1994) and continues even after the wound is completely reepithelialized (Stadelmann et al, 1998). If contraction continues for too long, it can lead to disfigurement (Mulvaney and Harrington, 1994; Revis and Seagel, 2003) and loss of function (DiPietro and Burns, 2003; Lorenz and Longaker, 2003; Hinz, 2005).

Contraction occurs in order to reduce the size of the wound (Deodhar and Rana, 1997; Witte and Barbul, 2002; Lorenz and Longaker, 2003; Romo and McLaughlin, 2003; Rosenberg and de la Torre, 2003; Hinz, 2005). A large wound can become 40 to 80% smaller after contraction (DiPietro and Burns, 2003; Lorenz and Longaker, 2003). Wounds can contract at a speed of up to 0.75 mm per day, depending on how loose the tissue in the wounded area is (Romo and McLaughlin, 2003). Contraction usually does not occur symmetrically; rather most wounds have an 'axis of contraction' which allows for greater organization and alignment of cells with collagen (Eichler and Carlson, 2005).

At first, contraction occurs without myofibroblast involvement (Mirastschijski et al., 2004). Later, fibroblasts, stimulated by growth factors (Santoro and Gaudino, 2005), differentiate into myofibroblasts (Deodhar and Rana, 1997; Stadelmann et al, 1998; Romo and McLaughlin, 2003), cells similar to smooth muscle cells (Mulvaney and Harrington, 1994; Dealey, 1999; Hinz, 2005; Mercandetti and Cohen, 2005) which are responsible for contraction (Revis and Seagel, 2003; Mirastschijski et al., 2004). Myofibroblasts contain the same kind of actin as that found in smooth musclecells (Stadelmann et al, 1998; Mirastschijski et al., 2004; Hinz, 2005).

Myofibroblasts are attracted by fibronectin and growth factors and they move along fibronectin linked to fibrin in the provisional ECM in order to reach the wound edges (Deodhar and Rana, 1997; Romo and McLaughlin, 2003). They form connections to the ECM at the wound edges. They attach to each other and to the wound edges by desmosomes (Stadelmann et al, 1998). Also, at an adhesion called the fibronexus, actin in the myofibroblast is linked across the cell membrane to molecules in the extracellular matrix like fibronectin and collagen (Deodhar and Rana, 1997; Mirastschijski et al., 2004; Hinz, 2005). Myofibroblasts have many such adhesions, which allow them to pull the ECM when they contract, reducing the wound size (Deodhar and Rana, 1997; Mirastschijski et al., 2004; Hinz, 2005). In this part of contraction, closure occurs more quickly than in the first, myofibroblast independent part (Mirastschijski et al., 2004).

As the actin in myofibroblasts contracts, the wound edges are pulled together. Fibroblasts lay down collagen to reinforce the new reduced, wound as myofibroblasts contract (Stadelmann et al, 1998). The contraction stage in proliferation ends as myofibroblasts stop contracting (Hinz, 2005) and commit apoptosis (Stadelmann et al, 1998; Hinz, 2005). The breakdown of the provisional matrix leads to a decrease in hyaluronic acid and an increase in chondroitin sulfate, which gradually triggers fibroblasts to stop migrating and proliferating (Scholar and Stadelmann, 2003). These events signal the onset of the maturation stage of wound healing.

Maturation and remodeling phase

When the levels of collagen production and degradation equalize, the maturation phase of tissue repair is said to have begun (Greenhalgh, 1998). The maturation phase can last for a year or longer, depending on the size of the wound and whether it was initially closed or left open (Greenhalgh, 1998; DiPietro and Burns, 2003; Mercandetti and Cohen, 2005). During Maturation, type III collagen, which is prevalent during proliferation, is gradually degraded and the stronger type I is laid down in its place (Stadelmann et al, 1998; Dealey, 1999; Romo and McLaughlin, 2003; Mercandetti and Cohen, 2005). Originally disorganized collagen fibers are rearranged, cross-linked, and aligned along tension lines (Lorenz and Longaker, 2003). As the phase progresses, the tensile strengthof the wound increases, with the strength approaching 50% that of normal tissue by three months after injury and ultimately becoming as much as 80% as strong as normal tissue (Lorenz and Longaker, 2003; DiPietro and Burns, 2003; Mercandetti and Cohen, 2005). Since activity at the wound site is reduced, the scar loses its erythematous appearance as blood vessels that are no longer needed are removed by apoptosis (Greenhalgh, 1998; DiPietro and Burns, 2003).

The phases of wound healing normally progress in a predictable, timely manner; if they do not, a chronic woundoccurs (Midwood et al., 2004).

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External link

1. Mustoe T. 2005. Dermal ulcer healing: Advances in understanding. Presented at meeting: Tissue repair and ulcer/wound healing: molecular mechanisms,therapeutic targets and future directions. Paris, France, March 17-18, 2005. Available.de:Wundheilung

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It uses material from the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wound+healing Wikipedia article Wound healing.