Fibroblasts and Wound Healing: An Update

The document from 2018 discusses the critical role of fibroblasts in wound healing, emphasizing the need to understand the heterogeneity among fibroblast subpopulations to develop better therapeutic strategies. It points out that specific fibroblast lineages are primarily responsible for scar tissue formation, suggesting that targeting these cells could minimize scarring. The paper also examines the role of stem cells, particularly myofibroblasts, and their potential for therapeutic manipulation due to their lineage plasticity. Current therapies focused on fibroblasts, such as growth factor and cell-based therapies, are reviewed, with the suggestion that a deeper understanding of skin cell populations could enhance treatment efficacy. Additionally, the document proposes new research directions, including the targeting of fibroblast mechanotransduction pathways to reduce scarring, and predicts growth in wound healing therapeutics as knowledge of cell diversity in this process expands.