Wound Healing and Omega-6 Fatty Acids: From Inflammation to Repair

Figure 1

Wound healing process. The illustration shows the inflammatory, proliferative, and remodelling phases of wound healing. Early stages of wound healing include coagulation and activation of inflammatory cells. The proliferative stage involves proliferation of fibroblasts and angiogenesis. The remodelling phase includes restoration of the barrier and contraction of the wound by myofibroblasts. The process is orchestrated by immune cells and growth factors and cytokines and chemokines (listed below) [8]. HF = hair follicle; BV = blood vessels; TNF = tumor necrosis factor; IL-1beta = interleucina 1beta; IL-6 = interleucina 6; ROS = reactive oxygen species; CXCL2 = chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 2; IFN-gamma = interferon-gamma; VEGF = vascular endothelial growth factor; TGF-beta = transforming growth factor beta; FGF = fibroblast growth factor; KGF = keratinocyte growth factor; MCP1 = monocyte chemoattractant protein-1; IGF = insulin growth factor; TIMPs = tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases; MMPs = matrix matalloproteinases; PDGF = platelet-derived growth factor; EGF = epithelial growth factor.