Growth factors in cutaneous wound repair

Regardless of the nature of inciting events, the wound healing response fol lows a predictable pattern. The events can be divided into overlapping phas es: acute inflammation; proliferation of fibroblast, endothelial, and epith elial cells; and matrix synthesis and remodeling with scar formation. Wound repair is regulated by a carefully orchestrated cascade of cytokines and g rowth factors. When injury occurs, cytokine production and secretion are in duced (largely by platelets and macrophages from the wound border) and the processes of inflammation and healing are initiated. Although numerous cyto kines are involved, the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily of medi ators plays a key role in wound healing.