Thrombin and thrombin peptides in wound healing and tissue repair

Abstract

Thrombin and thrombin peptides play a key role in wound healing and tissue regeneration. Early events initiated by thrombin contribute to inflammatory cell recruitment and activation of inflammatory cells. Certain nonproteolytic effects of thrombin, or thrombin peptides presumably released from fibrin clots, also appear to affect revascularization and progression of the repair process. Thus, the role of thrombin in wound healing goes far beyond hemostasis. Recent animal studies and human clinical trials with TP508, a specific 23 amino acid peptide representing a receptor-binding domain of thrombin, show significant improvement in healing and revascularization of dermal wounds and bone fractures. These studies highlight a role of thrombin peptides in wound healing that is just beginning to be recognized.