Genes involved in chronic wound healing and their therapeutic potential

Abstract

Chronic wounds are wounds that fail to progress through the normal stages of healing and remain open for an extended period of time. These wounds often require specialized treatment approaches. While the genes involved in wound healing play important roles in chronic wound treatment as well, the specific genetic factors contributing to chronic wounds are still being studied. Some of the genes and genetic factors that have been implicated in chronic wound healing and their potential for treatment include Transforming Growth Factor-Beta (TGF-β) Family, Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs), Transforming Growth Factor-Alpha (TGF-α), Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1 (HIF-1), Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), Nitric Oxide Synthase (NOS) and Wound-Healing-Associated microRNAs. It's important to note that chronic wounds are multifactorial, and their treatment requires a comprehensive approach addressing various factors beyond genetic factors alone. Other aspects such as underlying medical conditions, infection, local wound environment, and patient-specific factors also play crucial roles in chronic wound management.