title: Biology and Biomarkers for Wound Healing.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  As the population grows older, the incidence and prevalence of conditions that lead to a predisposition for poor wound healing also increase. Ultimately, this increase in nonhealing wounds has led to significant morbidity and mortality with subsequent huge economic ramifications. Therefore, understanding specific molecular mechanisms underlying aberrant wound healing is of great importance. It has and will continue to be the leading pathway to the discovery of therapeutic targets, as well as diagnostic molecular biomarkers. Biomarkers may help identify and stratify subsets of nonhealing patients for whom biomarker-guided approaches may aid in healing.
  
  
  METHODS
  A series of literature searches were performed using Medline, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Internet searches.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Currently, biomarkers are being identified using biomaterials sourced locally from human wounds and/or systemically using high-throughput "omics" modalities (genomic, proteomic, lipidomic, and metabolomic analysis). In this review, we highlight the current status of clinically applicable biomarkers and propose multiple steps in validation and implementation spectrum, including those measured in tissue specimens, for example, β-catenin and c-myc, wound fluid, matrix metalloproteinases and interleukins, swabs, wound microbiota, and serum, for example, procalcitonin and matrix metalloproteinases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Identification of numerous potential biomarkers using different avenues of sample collection and molecular approaches is currently underway. A focus on simplicity and consistent implementation of these biomarkers, as well as an emphasis on efficacious follow-up therapeutics, is necessary for transition of this technology to clinically feasible point-of-care applications.
authors.affiliation: Miami, Fla.; and Kragujevac, Serbia.|From the Wound Healing and Regenerative Medicine Research Program, Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, the John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, the Human Genomics and Genetics Graduate Program, and Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine; and the Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac.
authors.forename: Linsey E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Lindley
authors.affiliation: Miami, Fla.; and Kragujevac, Serbia.|From the Wound Healing and Regenerative Medicine Research Program, Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, the John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, the Human Genomics and Genetics Graduate Program, and Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine; and the Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac.
authors.forename: Olivera
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Stojadinovic
authors.affiliation: Miami, Fla.; and Kragujevac, Serbia.|From the Wound Healing and Regenerative Medicine Research Program, Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, the John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, the Human Genomics and Genetics Graduate Program, and Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine; and the Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac.
authors.forename: Irena
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Pastar
authors.affiliation: Miami, Fla.; and Kragujevac, Serbia.|From the Wound Healing and Regenerative Medicine Research Program, Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, the John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, the Human Genomics and Genetics Graduate Program, and Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine; and the Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac.
authors.forename: Marjana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tomic-Canic
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D000072836:Surgical Wound / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers