Wound Healing and Skin Regeneration: Present Status and Future Directions

Abstract

Wound healing and skin regeneration involve intricate interactions between various cellular, molecular, and biochemical factors. This narrative review aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the present status of therapeutic strategies for wound healing and skin regeneration. The literature review was performed using the Google Scholar search engine with the help of relevant keywords. Selected publications were used to synthesize different sections of the narrative review. The quest for innovative therapeutic approaches to accelerate wound healing and enhance skin regeneration has led to remarkable advancements in recent years. The landscape of therapeutic approaches for wound healing and skin regeneration is evolving rapidly, driven by groundbreaking discoveries and interdisciplinary collaborations. From advanced wound dressings and growth factor therapies to stem cell-based interventions and gene editing techniques, the arsenal of tools at our disposal continues to expand. As researchers continue to unravel the intricate mechanisms underlying wound repair and regeneration, the potential for transformative therapies to revolutionize patient care remains immense. Through a combination of innovative technologies, personalized approaches, ethical considerations, and global accessibility, the future of wound healing holds promise for improving the lives of countless individuals worldwide. Despite significant advancements, several knowledge gaps persist in the field of wound healing and skin regeneration. Further elucidation of cellular and molecular mechanisms governing wound repair, inflammation resolution, and scar formation is warranted. Exploring the crosstalk between wound healing and the microbiome and the influence of ageing and systemic diseases will unravel new therapeutic targets and strategies. As researchers delve deeper into understanding the intricate mechanisms underlying wound repair, the development of novel therapies and their clinical translation become increasingly promising. With a multidisciplinary approach and ongoing advancements in technology, biology, and medicine, the future holds great potential for transforming the field of wound healing and skin regeneration.

Disturbances in the Skin Homeostasis: The Wound Healing, a Process Yet to Be Defined

“…This stimulates the generation of vasoactive metabolites, which leads to the reflexive widening of blood arteries and the relaxing of arterial vessels. The duration of this phase is a short span of time, typically lasting only a few minutes [4,26,47,[67][68][69][70][71][72][73] (see Table 1).…”

“…Additional substances, such as cytokines, matrix proteins, and enzymes, also participate in the inflammatory phase. Chemokines are of special significance in the process of wound healing since they have a vital function in attracting neutrophils and lymphocytes to coordinate the initial phases of this process [4,26,47,[67][68][69][70][71][72][73] (see Table 1). During the proliferative phase, fibroblasts contribute to the synthesis of granulation tissue and regulate the migration and proliferation of keratinocytes as well as the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis).…”

“…In the epidermis, the keratinocytes located at the outside edge of the injured area divide and migrate towards the center until the two edges are connected, thus restoring the protective function of the epithelial barrier. The duration of this phase spans from 3 to 12 days [4,26,47,[67][68][69][70][71][72][73] (see Table 1). During the maturation phase, the main processes involve the restoration of collagen and the contraction of wounds.…”

“…More precisely, type III collagen takes the place of type I collagen, while elastin, which is not present in the granulation tissue, reemerges. The apoptosis of specific cell types in the granulation tissue is a crucial occurrence in the healing process of wounds [4,26,47,[67][68][69][70][71][72][73] (see Table 1).…”

“…The origin of the phenotype of fibrocytes in the dermis is a subject of disagreement. Some argue that it arises from myofibroblastic forms that gradually lose their normal morphological characteristics, while others believe it comes from forms that differentiate later in the described process [4,26,47,[67][68][69][70][71][72][73] (see Table 1).…”