Platelet concentrates may affect the formation of pathological scars by regulating epithelial to mesenchymal transition

Abstract

Pathological scars or abnormal scars, which include hypertrophic scars and keloids, are scar formations that sometimes occur during the wound healing process. The pathogenesis of pathological scars is not fully understood, and there is no effective treatment for such scars. Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a common pathophysiologic process that plays a critical role in skin scar formation. The use of platelet concentrates（PCs）in the treatment of scars has recently gained attention. However, the efficacy of PCs in treating scars and the mechanisms involved remain unclear. The mechanism by which PCs potentially affect pathological scars from the perspective of EMT has not been studied to date. PCs are a rich source of bioactive components such as growth factors and cytokines, which can trigger initiation of the EMT process. We therefore hypothesize that PCs may affect the formation of pathological scars by regulating EMT. The effects of PCs on EMT during scar formation are likely complex and context-dependent; PCs may have beneficial or harmful effect on pathological scars by promoting or inhibiting EMT respectively at different stages of wound healing and scar formation. Under specific conditions, PCs could both EMT or facilitate mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET). Testing this hypothesis would add to our knowledge of the intricate cellular and molecular interactions underlying pathological scarring and could lead to further discoveries in scar management and related fields.