The Role of Fibrocytes in Post-burn Hypertrophic Scarring

The following sections are included:

• Introduction

• Altered Structure and Composition of the Extracellular Matrix of Hypertrophic Scars

• A Th2 Polarized Immune Response in Hypertrophic Scar

• Dysregulated Apoptosis in Hypertrophic Scar

  • Apoptosis in the Resolution of Inflammation

  • Delayed Fibroblast and Myofibroblast Apoptosis in Hypertrophic Scar

• Increased Levels of the Profibrotic Growth Factors TGF-β and CTGF in Hypertrophic Scar

• Hypertrophic Scarring is Associated with Blood Borne Fibrocytes

• Increased Numbers of Fibrocytes can be Cultured from the Blood of Burn Patients

• Establishment of LSP-I as a Fibrocyte Marker

• Increased Numbers of Fibrocytes in Post-burn Hypertrophic Scar

• Potential Interaction of Fibrocytes and Endothelial Cells

• Possible Interactions of Fibrocytes and Fibroblasts

• Elevated TGF-β and CTGF mRNA Levels in Burn Patient Fibrocytes

• Fibrocytes may Contribute to the Myofibroblast Population

• Possible Role of Fibrocytes in the Polarized Th2 Immune Response

• Proposed Role of Fibrocytes in Hypertrophic Scar Formation

• Summary and Prospects for FutureWork

• Acknowledgments

• References