A MECHANICAL MODEL FOR FIBROBLAST-DRIVEN WOUND HEALING

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Abstract
We present a mathematical model for the contraction and relaxation phases of healing dermal wounds based upon the extracellular control of the traction forces exerted by the migrating fibroblastic cells. We assume that these cell-extracellular medium interactions are controlled by the viscoelastic properties of both the provisional matrix formed initially in the lesion and the newly synthesised collagenous matrix concomitantly secreted. In addition, the plastic response of the collagenous matrix to the cell traction has been considered. The mechanical model proposed here accounts for the different experimental phases of the wound boundaries' movement with time. Furthermore, it provides a quantification of the residual strain and stress resulting from the plastic response and remodelling of the extracellular matrix which could help to characterise the scar tissue formation in wound healing.

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