Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Repair in Wound Healing

Abstract

Wound healing is a highly evolved defense mechanism against infection and further injury. It is a complex process involving multiple cell types and biological pathways. Mammalian adult cutaneous wound healing is mediated by a fibroproliferative response leading to scar formation. In contrast, early to mid-gestational fetal cutaneous wound healing is more akin to regeneration and occurs without scar formation. This early observation has led to extensive research seeking to unlock the mechanism underlying fetal scarless regenerative repair. Building upon recent advances in biomaterials and stem cell applications, tissue engineering approaches are working towards a recapitulation of this phenomenon. In this review, we describe the elements that distinguish fetal scarless and adult scarring wound healing, and discuss current trends in tissue engineering aimed at achieving scarless tissue regeneration.

Current and future applications of nanotechnology in plastic and reconstructive surgery

“…Currently, the use of scaffolds composed of polylactic and polyglycolic acids embedded with various growth factors are used to improve skin healing. [19,20] With precise manufacturing techniques and the utilization of novel biomaterials, the development of these products can provide enhanced aesthetic appearance after reconstruction. This has been proven to be safe, reliable, and reproducible.…”

Modified Bone Marrow Stromal Cells Therapy for Central Nervous System Disorders

“…Combination stem cells with biomaterials is another direction in the research of the central nervous system injury [25,26]. Some research had constructed biological composite materials to control the releasing of neurotrophic factors and stem cells transplantation.…”

Mesenchymal-epidermal interactions in hair follicle cycling and regeneration

“…This is in contrast to skin wound healing in the early to mid-gestational fetus, which has been shown to leave no scarring and result in normally arranged skin and appendages (Hu et al, 2014;Lorenz et al, 1992). This difference in wound healing between the fetal and adult organism has been suggested to be a result of a myriad of differences in inflammatory processes, cytokine and growth factor signalling, and extracellular matrix organisation following wounding (Hu et al, 2014). In addition to scarring in the adult, wound healing can be delayed or impaired resulting in chronic wounds as seen in diabetic foot ulcers, or wounds may heal excessively through overproduction of extracellular matrix as seen in hypertrophic and keloid scars (Baltzis et al, 2014;Gurtner et al, 2008).…”

“…As a result, the skin also has a marked reduction in tensile strength (Hu et al, 2014;Singer and Clark, 1999). This is in contrast to skin wound healing in the early to mid-gestational fetus, which has been shown to leave no scarring and result in normally arranged skin and appendages (Hu et al, 2014;Lorenz et al, 1992).…”

“…As a result, the skin also has a marked reduction in tensile strength (Hu et al, 2014;Singer and Clark, 1999). This is in contrast to skin wound healing in the early to mid-gestational fetus, which has been shown to leave no scarring and result in normally arranged skin and appendages (Hu et al, 2014;Lorenz et al, 1992). This difference in wound healing between the fetal and adult organism has been suggested to be a result of a myriad of differences in inflammatory processes, cytokine and growth factor signalling, and extracellular matrix organisation following wounding (Hu et al, 2014).…”