Inflammation and wound healing

Inflammation in wounds is a highly ordered process that significantly impacts wound healing outcomes. Several pieces of evidence point to a positive role for leukocytes in the stimulation of the proliferative phase of healing. In particular, macrophages appear to support healing through the generation of growth factors that promote cell proliferation and protein synthesis. While much remains to be learned, the accumulated information suggests that a carefully balanced inflammatory response is needed to provide maximal support for both infection prevention and optimal healing outcomes following injury. Wounds in the oral mucosa seem to benefit from a minimized inflammatory response that is supportive of repair.