Epidermal cells migration and wound healing

Abstract

Wound healing is a dynamic and well-ordered biological process, in which re-epithelialization plays an important role. Re-epithelialization of skin wounds depends upon epidermal cells migration from the wound edge. Hypoxia is a microenvironmental stress that occurs immediately after injury, likely due to the vascular disruption and increased oxygen consumption by cells surrounding the wound edge, which has been shown to promote epidermal cells migration and wound healing. Endogenous electric field (EF) is generated instantaneously after injury due to the collapse of the trans-epithelial potentials, which plays an overriding guidance role in directing epidermal cells migration towards the wound center in wound healing. In addition, nitric monoxide (NO) as an inflammatory factor produced after wounds occur has been found to promote epidermal cells migration and wound healing. In conclusion, hypoxia, EF and NO accelerate the healing process though promoting epidermal cells migration towards the wound center. Key words: Cell movement; Wounds and injuries; Wound healing; Nitric oxide; Hypoxia; Electric field