Cellular and biological factors involved in healing wounds and burns and treatment options in tissue engineering

Severe traumatic wounds and burns have a high chance of mortality and can leave survivors with many functional disabilities and cosmetic problems, including scars. The healing process requires a harmonious interplay of various cells and growth factors. Different structures of the skin house numerous cells, matrix components and growth factors. Any disturbance in the balance between these components can impair the healing process. The function of cells and growth factors can be manipulated and facilitated to aid tissue repair. In the current review, the authors focus on the importance of the skin microenvironment, the pathophysiology of various types of burns, mechanisms and factors involved in skin repair and wound healing and regeneration of the skin using tissue engineering approaches. Plain language summary Wounds and ulcers, especially burn wounds, are major causes of morbidity and mortality and pose a significant burden for individuals and societies. The skin has numerous structures that play important roles in wound healing via cells and growth factors. Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine represent a rather new field that focuses on manipulating cells and growth factors, aiming to facilitate repair and regeneration of injured tissues and organs. This review focuses on different burn injuries that can result in nonhealing wounds, provides an overview of several cells and growth factors that are involved in the healing process of the skin and introduces various strategies practiced in tissue engineering with regard to cutaneous wound healing.