Scarless fetal wound healing: a basic science review

Plast Reconstr Surg. 2010 Oct;126(4):1172-1180. doi: 10.1097/PRS.0b013e3181eae781.

Abstract

Scar formation is a major medical problem that can have devastating consequences for patients. The adverse physiological and psychological effects of scars are broad, and there are currently no reliable treatments to prevent scarring. In contrast to adult wounds, early gestation fetal skin wounds repair rapidly and in the absence of scar formation. Despite extensive investigation, the exact mechanisms of scarless fetal wound healing remain largely unknown. For some time, it has been known that significant differences exist among the extracellular matrix, inflammatory response, cellular mediators, and gene expression profiles of fetal and postnatal wounds. These differences may have important implications in scarless wound repair.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Blastocyst Inner Cell Mass / cytology
  • Blastocyst Inner Cell Mass / physiology
  • Cell Transdifferentiation*
  • Cicatrix / prevention & control*
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / physiology
  • Fetus / metabolism
  • Fetus / physiology*
  • Forecasting
  • Humans
  • Research Design / trends
  • Science
  • Stem Cell Transplantation
  • Wound Healing / physiology*