New Molecular Insights into Scar and Wounds

Dear Colleagues,

The complexity of wound healing and subsequent scarring triggers the need for both basic and translational studies in the field. The prevalence of wound healing impairments boosts the drive to an applicatory approach in the field.

Yet, since numerous physiological and molecular processes are involved in wound healing (e.g. inflammation, fibrosis, cell migration, angiogenesis, matrix remodeling, etc.), there are endless targets for novel therapies. Without deepening the knowledge of the mechanism of wound healing or scarring search for novel, or implementation of preexisting therapies may be hampered. Recent advancements in wound healing research showed increasing importance in deciphering the role of the HIF-1α pathway, along with further studies on certain cytokines like TGF-β IFN-γ. Controversies on macrophage M1/M2 shift and their targeting in wound healing are also addressed with intense research. The role of M2 macrophages and certain cytokines (especially TGF-β and IFN-γ) seems to be pivotal in scar maturation, which if disrupted, may produce hypertrophic scar or keloids. Exploration of these and many other mechanisms is particularly crucial in chronic wounds. Of those, most of the studies focus on diabetic wound healing, due to its challenging nature in management. Also, impaired immunological response, excessive matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity, explicit oxidative stress increase, and impaired remodeling lead to prolonged healing and poor scar quality. All of the above are profoundly studied and may pose a target for novel therapies. But for the improvement of the wound healing mechanisms, successful therapies are studied relying on woundbed augmentation with stem cells of different origins. Understanding the mechanism underlying their efficiency may lead to further exciting discoveries.  

Those topics are especially invited for submission in this Special Issue.

Thus, in this Special Issue authors are encouraged to submit papers that fill the gap in the knowledge of wound healing and scarring. Due to the aforementioned nature of the topic, a dual approach is needed for advancement in the fields—experimental use of novel pharmaceuticals or devices (wound dressings) followed by studies concerning exploration of the underlying mechanism of (un)successful therapies.

Articles that aim to contribute to this Special Issue should address the topic via well-designed studies. Papers should concern molecular aspects of wound healing—either in basic research or in. applicatory approach. Relevant and innovative systematic reviews and meta-analyses are also allowed for submission to this Special Issue.

Dr. Wiktor Pascal
Guest Editor

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