Keywords

cell flux, cell speed, cell polarization, tissue regeneration, collagen production, fibrin degradation

Abstract

We present a novel mathematical model for collagen deposition and alignment during dermal wound healing, focusing on the regulatory effects of TGF. Our work extends a previously developed model which considers the interactions between fibroblasts and extracellular matrix, composed of collagen and a fibrin based blood clot, by allowing fibroblasts to orient the collagen matrix, and produce and degrade the extracellular matrix, while the matrix can direct the fibroblasts and control their speed. Here we extend the model by allowing a time varying concentration of TGF to alter the properties of the fibroblasts. Thus we are able to simulate experiments which alter the TGF profile. Within this model framework we find that most of the known effects of TGF, i.e., changes in cell motility, cell proliferation and collagen production, are of minor importance to matrix alignment and cannot explain the anti-scarring properties of TGF. However, we find that by changing fibroblast reorientation rates, consistent with experimental evidence, the alignment of the regenerated tissue can be significantly altered. This provides an explanation for the experimentally observed influence of TGF on scarring.

Original Publication Citation

J.C. Dallon, J.A. Sherratt, P.K. Maini: Modeling the Effects of Transforming Growth Factor-beta on Extracellular Matrix Alignment in Dermal Wound Repair. Wound Repair and Regeneration. 9(4): 278-286 (21).

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2001-10-17

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/1324

Publisher

Blackwell Publishing

Language

English

College

Physical and Mathematical Sciences

Department

Mathematics

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Included in

Mathematics Commons

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