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Updated: Aug 10, 2026
08:35
Generation of a Three-dimensional Full Thickness Skin Equivalent and Automated Wounding
Published on: February 26, 2015
Surface wound healing: a new, general function of eukaryotic cells
1DIBIT, Dept. of Neuroscience and Center of Excellence in Physiopathology of Cell Differentiation, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University and IRCCS San Raffaele, Milan, Italy. meldolesi.jacopo@hsr.it
Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine
|November 5, 2003
Summary
All eukaryotic cells, except red blood cells, can repair surface wounds through a calcium-triggered release of organelles. This process reduces surface tension, enabling cell membranes to fuse and heal the damage.
Area of Science:
- Cell biology
- Wound healing
- Membrane dynamics
Background:
- Surface wound repair is crucial for eukaryotic cell survival.
- Erythrocytes are the only known eukaryotic cells incapable of this repair.
- The process involves organelle exocytosis and membrane fusion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the mechanism of eukaryotic cell surface repair.
- To discuss the physiological and pathological relevance of this process.
Main Methods:
- Observational studies of cell behavior during wounding.
- Analysis of calcium-induced exocytosis of organelles like lysosomes and enlargeosomes.
Main Results:
- Eukaryotic cells (excluding erythrocytes) exhibit rapid Ca(2+)-induced exocytosis upon surface wounding.
- Exocytosis of organelles like lysosomes and enlargeosomes decreases surface tension.
- This reduction in surface tension facilitates spontaneous fusion of lipid monolayers at wound edges.
Conclusions:
- Cellular surface repair is a fundamental survival mechanism in eukaryotes.
- The process relies on regulated organelle exocytosis and membrane biophysics.
- Dysregulation of this repair mechanism may contribute to various pathologies.
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