THE SCARRING PROCESSES IN MUCOSAL TISSUES AFTER IMMUNE INJURY

Objectives: An important feature of the healing processes is scar form ation which may be necessary for organism survival. If it proceeds to the pathological state, it may impair normal function. The purpose of this review is to focus on some of the factors that may influence this process after immune injury, comparing it in the skin and mucosa. Met hods: A detailed literature search of peer-reviewed journals was condu cted. Studies reported in all languages considered relevant and import ant were used, including humans, animals, and tissue culture. Results: Analysis of the data indicate that the scarring process is mainly dep endent on (1) the type of the lesion, (2) the cause and duration of in jury, and (3) the tissue involved and its microenvironment. Equally im portant is the large spectrum and heterogenicity in the biological act ivity of fibroblasts and their role in scar formation. Conclusions: Th e process of scar formation is complex and multistep process and is af fected and influenced by local and systemic factors. Although it appea rs irreversible, there are pharmacological agents available, and under investigation, that may minimize its detrimental effects. Copyright ( C) 1998 by W.B. Saunders Company.