Diller RB, Tabor AJ, et al.
Biomimetics (Basel, Switzerland). Date of publication 2022 Jul 1;volume 7(3):.
1. Biomimetics (Basel). 2022 Jul 1;7(3). pii: 87. doi: 10.3390/biomimetics7030087.
The Role of the Extracellular Matrix (ECM) in Wound Healing: A Review.
Diller RB(1), Tabor AJ(1).
Author information:
(1)Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ
86011, USA.
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a 3-dimensional structure and an essential
component in all human tissues. It is comprised of varying proteins, including
collagens, elastin, and smaller quantities of structural proteins. Studies have
demonstrated the ECM aids in cellular adherence, tissue anchoring, cellular
signaling, and recruitment of cells. During times of integumentary injury or
damage, either acute or chronic, the ECM is damaged. Through a series of
overlapping events called the wound healing phases-hemostasis, inflammation,
proliferation, and remodeling-the ECM is synthesized and ideally returned to its
native state. This article synthesizes current and historical literature to
demonstrate the involvement of the ECM in the varying phases of the wound healing
cascade.
DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics7030087
PMCID: PMC9326521
PMID: 35892357
