Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in cutaneous wound healing: Where we are and where we are heading

Abstract

Cutaneous wound healing occurs in distinct yet overlapping steps with the end goal of reforming a stratified epithelium to restore epidermal barrier function. A key component of this process is re-epithelialization, which involves the proliferation and migration of epidermal keratinocytes surrounding the wound. This spatiotemporally controlled process resembles aspects of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process and is thus proposed to involve a partial EMT. Here, we review current literature on the cellular and molecular changes that occur during, and the known or potential regulatory factors of cutaneous wound re-epithelialization and EMT to highlight their similarities and differences. We also discuss possible future directions toward a better understanding of the underlying regulatory mechanisms with implications for developing new therapeutics to improve wound repair in humans. Developmental Dynamics 247:473–480, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.