Exp Dermatol. 2018 May 9. doi: 10.1111/exd.13681. [Epub ahead of print]

New insights into the roles of myofibroblasts and innervation during skin healing and innovative therapies to improve scar innervation.

Lebonvallet N¹, Laverdet B², Misery L¹, Desmoulière A², Girard D².

Abstract

During the resolution phase of normal skin wound healing, there is a considerable loss of various cell types, including myofibroblasts by apoptosis. Inappropriate delay of apoptosis, and thus increased survival of myofibroblasts, may be a factor leading to pathologies and excessive scarring. Considerable data now clearly suggests that innervation plays a major role in wound healing, including the modulation of fibroblast cellular activity. An abnormal level of neuromediators is implicated not only in the development of chronic wounds but also in excessive scar formation. Understanding interactions between neuromediators and myofibroblasts, allowing normal reinnervation, and having adequate levels of neuromediators during the healing process are clearly important to avoid the appearance of pathological healing or fibrosis/scarring. The aim of this review is first to discuss the mechanisms leading to normal or excessive scarring and then to present the roles of innervation during wound healing. Finally, the latest therapeutic strategies to help wound repair and reinnervation after skin damage will be introduced. Advantages and limitations in the use of neuropeptides, growth factors and biomaterials will be discussed as well as the most recent studies on electrostimulation and the potential of targeting resident skin mesenchymal stem cells. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.