Genetic Approaches and Models in Wound Healing

2007 SAWC Sessions

Genetic Approaches and Models in Wound Healing

Faculty: Michael DiPersio, PhD
Description:The microenvironment of a cutaneous wound consists of a complex mixture of extracellular matrix molecules,growth factors, and cytokines that collectively regulate the migratory, proliferative, and contractile behaviors of the component cells of the tissue with temporal and spatial precision. Integrin receptors for the extracellular matrix and their functional interactions with growth factors such as TGF-beta play critical roles in regulating the coordinated responses of keratinocytes, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and other cell types during wound healing. This session will focus on the development and exploitation of animal models to study the roles of specific integrins and their cooperative interactions with growth factors in the regulation of wound healing. Topics will cover various aspects of wound healing, including mechanisms that contribute to inflammation, wound reepithelialization, and scar formation. Areas of emphasis will include the use of animal models (ie, transgenic and knockout mouse models) to study the regulation of cutaneous wound healing in vivo and the derivation of in vitro systems from these genetic models to investigate specific molecular mechanisms that are involved in this regulation.

Credits: 1.5