title: Fetal wound healing: current biology.
abstract: The early-gestation fetus heals dermal wounds rapidly and scarlessly. This phenomenon appears to be intrinsic to fetal skin and independent of the intrauterine environment. Unique properties of fetal cells, extracellular matrix, cytokine profile, and gene expression contribute to scarless repair. An intensive research effort has focused on unraveling the mechanisms that underlie scarless fetal wound healing in an attempt to improve the quality of healing in both children and adults.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, University of Minnesota, Mayo Mail Code 450, 420 Delaware Street SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA.
authors.forename: Kelli M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Bullard
authors.forename: Michael T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Longaker
authors.forename: H Peter
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Lorenz
mesh_terms: D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000502:physiology; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000502:physiology; D005333:Fetus / Q000502:physiology*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000502:physiology; D015870:Gene Expression; D005801:Genes, Homeobox / Q000502:physiology; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000502:physiology; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000378:metabolism; D009928:Organ Specificity; D012867:Skin / Q000196:embryology*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000032:analysis; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases