Figure 2

Differences between normal wound healing and excessive scar formation over time. Processes of wound repair follow a specific time sequence and can be temporally grouped into three distinct phases: inflammation (I), proliferation (II) and remodeling (III). Platelet degranulation is responsible for the release and activation of an array of potent cytokines, which serve as chemotactic agents for the recruitment of, for example, macrophages, neutrophils, epithelial cells and fibroblasts. In normal wounds, a balance is achieved between new tissue biosynthesis and degradation mediated by apoptosis and remodeling of ECM (A). During excessive scar formation, a dysfunction of the underlying regulatory mechanisms may lead to persistent inflammation, excessive collagen synthesis or deficient matrix degradation and remodeling (B).