TLDR Macrophage issues cause chronic wound inflammation, but therapies can help.
The document reviewed the role of macrophages in chronic wound healing, focusing on their critical function in transitioning through different phenotypes, particularly from pro-inflammatory M1 to anti-inflammatory M2. It highlighted that dysfunction in these transitions, often due to conditions like aging, obesity, and diabetes, leads to stalled healing processes. The review discussed macrophage heterogeneity and their potential as therapeutic targets, suggesting that manipulating macrophage subpopulations could enhance wound repair. Various therapeutic strategies were explored, including systemic and local treatments, to restore macrophage function and promote healing. The document emphasized the potential of multi-target treatments and the need for further research to fully understand macrophage plasticity and improve therapeutic strategies for chronic wounds. Additionally, it noted the involvement of macrophages in hair follicle regeneration, indicating their broader regenerative potential.
8 citations
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January 2020 in “Biomaterials Science” Researchers developed a scaffold that releases a healing drug over time, improving wound healing and skin regeneration.
136 citations
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September 2019 in “Journal of Clinical Investigation” Dermal adipose tissue in mice can change and revert to help with skin health.
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April 2019 in “Nature Communications” Mechanical stretching of the skin can promote hair growth by activating certain immune cells.
301 citations
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February 2019 in “Nature Communications” The research found that different types of fibroblasts are involved in wound healing and that some blood cells can turn into fat cells during this process.
17 citations
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June 2018 in “Frontiers in Physiology” ADM scaffolds help skin heal by promoting a healing-type immune response.
68 citations
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March 2018 in “Biomaterials” Large-scale fibronectin nanofibers help heal wounds and repair tissue in a skin model of a mouse.
36 citations
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February 2018 in “British Journal of Dermatology” Sweat glands and hair follicles are structurally connected within a specific layer of skin fat.
117 citations
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March 2017 in “Nature Communications” Macrophages help regrow hair by activating stem cells using AKT/β-catenin and TNF.
175 citations
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December 2014 in “PLoS Biology” Macrophages help activate hair follicle stem cells, affecting hair growth and skin repair.
84 citations
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August 2013 in “Journal of Cellular Biochemistry” Human Wharton's jelly stem cells improve wound healing.
105 citations
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May 2013 in “Biomaterials” Human hair keratin hydrogel may aid nerve repair better than traditional methods.