The Role of Fibrin(ogen) in Wound Healing and Infection Control

Abstract

Fibrinogen, one of the most abundant plasma proteins playing a key role in hemostasis, is an important modulator of wound healing and host defense against microbes. In the current review, we address the role of fibrin(ogen) throughout the process of wound healing and subsequent tissue repair. Initially fibrin(ogen) acts as a provisional matrix supporting incoming leukocytes and acting as reservoir for growth factors. It later goes on to support re-epithelialization, angiogenesis, and fibroplasia. Importantly, removal of fibrin(ogen) from the wound is essential for wound healing to progress. We also discuss how fibrin(ogen) functions through several mechanisms to protect the host against bacterial infection by providing a physical barrier, entrapment of bacteria in fibrin(ogen) networks, and by directing immune cell function. The central role of fibrin(ogen) in defense against bacterial infection has made it a target of bacterial proteins, evolved to interact with fibrin(ogen) to manipulate clot formation and degradation for the purpose of promoting microbial virulence and survival. Further understanding of the dual roles of fibrin(ogen) in wound healing and infection could provide novel means of therapy to improve recovery from surgical or chronic wounds and help to prevent infection from highly virulent bacterial strains, including those resistant to antibiotics.

Elucidating Mechanisms of Tolerance toSalmonellaTyphimurium Across Long-Term Infections Using the Collaborative Cross

“…Fga , Fgb , Fgg , and Tchh were all up-regulated in resistant strains, while S100a5 was up-regulated in tolerant strains. Fga , Fgb , and Fgg are the three subunits of fibrinogen and are involved in clot formation, wound healing, and microbial resistance and are thus strong candidates for further study [42]. S100a5 is expressed primarily in neuronal bodies [43] and Tchh is expressed in the tongue and hair [44], and do not appear to be involved in response to infection.…”

“…Fga , Fgb , and Fgg are three of the most highly up-regulated genes in the spleens of resistant mice and are associated with reduced spleen colonization and the QTL on Chr 3, Scq1 . Fibrinogen is important in countering initial bacterial colonization by forming a matrix that traps bacteria and by recruiting and activating immune cells [42]. Fibrinogen kinetics (formation and degradation) are also vital to wound healing, our histopathology analysis suggests the presence of micro-abscesses in both spleen and liver that require healing [42].…”

“…Fibrinogen is important in countering initial bacterial colonization by forming a matrix that traps bacteria and by recruiting and activating immune cells [42]. Fibrinogen kinetics (formation and degradation) are also vital to wound healing, our histopathology analysis suggests the presence of micro-abscesses in both spleen and liver that require healing [42]. Fibrinogen is also important in bacterial defense.…”

Fibrosis resolution in the mouse liver: role of Mmp12 and potential role of Calpain 1/2

“…In contrast, the turnover of fibrin(ogen) ECM has been heavily studied in other diseases of remodeling and recovery. For example, fibrin(ogen) ECM plays a key role in sub-cutaneous wound-healing (49), and is the rationale for the delivery fibrin-enriched products to promote wound healing (50). However, the clearance of the fibrin-containing provisional matrix is also a key step in late stages of wound-healing (49).…”

2021 Eberhard F. Mammen Award Announcements: Part II—Young Investigator Awards

“…The most recent arising publications are also listed in the reference list for the benefit of the readership. 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 I have mentioned several times my personal gratification that most of the papers from earlier years have subsequently appeared in several annual top 100 listings. Of further interest, some of these papers or the young investigators themselves have subsequently won one of the most popular awards (see Table 1 for a list of prior editorials on these awards).…”