International Scholarly Research Notices

Review Article

A Review of Fetal Scarless Healing

Table 1

Differences identified in fetal wound healing compared to adult wound healing.
Growth factorRole in wound healingAdult wound healingFetal wound healing
EGFReepithelisation. Stimulate fibroblasts to secrete collagenDecreased levels mRNA with increasing gestational age [78]
VEGFAngiogenesisRemains unclear [9, 82]
PDGFFibroplasia. Attract fibroblast to wound area.Elevated levels but quicker clearance from wounds [77].
Exogenous addition causes fibrosis [79]
FGFMatrix deposition, reepithelisation, angiogenesis, endothelial, keratinocyte, and fibroblast migrationFGF7 and 10 downregulated [60]
FGF2 increased expression [81]
TGF-β1Neutrophil infiltration, macrophage infiltration, fibroplasia, matrix deposition, scarring/fibrosis angiogenesisIncreased levels, long intracellular signalling. Causes increase in own gene expressionLow levels with increased clearance [8, 70, 71].
No increase in own gene expression [101]
TGF-β2Neutrophil infiltration, macrophage infiltration, fibroplasia, matrix deposition, scarring/fibrosis angiogenesisHigh levels mRNA but not protein [69]
TGF-β3As above but possibly antiscarringDelayed expressionIncreased levels and quicker and prolonged expression [69, 71]
IGF-IMatrix deposition, scarring, re-epithelisationHigher proliferation increased collagen synthesisLower proliferation and collagen synthesis [88]