Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Murine Dermal Fibroblast Isolation by FACS
06:04

Murine Dermal Fibroblast Isolation by FACS

Published on: January 7, 2016

Are fibrocytes present in pediatric burn wounds?

Andrew J A Holland1, Sarah L S Tarran, Heather J Medbury

  • 1The Children's Hospital Burns Research Institute and Department of Academic Surgery, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, New South Wales, Australia.

Journal of Burn Care & Research : Official Publication of the American Burn Association
|June 7, 2008
PubMed

Insights

This study found fibrocytes, immune cells with fibroblast-like properties, in pediatric burn wounds. Their presence correlates with hypertrophic scarring, suggesting a role in burn wound healing and scar development.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Wound Healing
  • Dermatology

Background:

  • Fibrocytes are leukocytes with fibroblast-like properties found at injury sites.
  • Understanding cellular responses in pediatric burn wounds is crucial for optimizing treatment.
  • Hypertrophic scarring is a common complication of pediatric burns.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and role of fibrocytes in acute pediatric burn wounds.
  • To determine if fibrocytes correlate with the development of hypertrophic scarring in pediatric burn patients.

Main Methods:

  • Seventy punch biopsies from 53 pediatric burn wounds were analyzed.
  • Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and double immunofluorescence staining were used to identify fibrocytes (CD34+, LSP-1+, pro-collagen I+, alphaSMA+).
  • Correlation between fibrocyte presence and hypertrophic scarring was assessed.

Main Results:

  • Fibrocytes were identified in pediatric burn wound biopsies.
  • A significant correlation was found between the presence of fibrocytes and hypertrophic scarring (88% vs 18%, P < .001).
  • Fibrocytes appear to be involved in the local response to burn injury.

Conclusions:

  • This study provides the first evidence of fibrocytes in acute pediatric burn wounds.
  • Fibrocytes may play a role in the pathogenesis of hypertrophic burn scar formation.
  • Further research into fibrocyte function could lead to novel therapeutic strategies for burn scar management.

More Related Videos

Ultrasonic-augmented Primary Adult Fibroblast Isolation06:51

Ultrasonic-augmented Primary Adult Fibroblast Isolation

Published on: July 29, 2019

A Murine Model of a Burn Wound Reconstructed with an Allogeneic Skin Graft12:18

A Murine Model of a Burn Wound Reconstructed with an Allogeneic Skin Graft

Published on: August 8, 2020

Related Concept Videos

Introduction to Fibroblasts01:09

Introduction to Fibroblasts

Rudolph Virchow discovered spindle-shaped cells called fibroblasts in 1858. Inactive fibroblasts, called fibrocytes, become activated by various stimuli, such as growth factors and inflammatory cytokines. Activated fibroblasts play a crucial role in wound healing, inflammation, formation of new blood vessels, and cancer progression. Uncontrolled activation of fibroblasts results in fibrosis, the excess deposition of fibrous tissue, which can lead to scarring and affect normal organs. This...
Burn Injuries01:22

Burn Injuries

Burn injuries occur when the skin and underlying tissues are damaged due to exposure to heat, electricity, chemicals, radiation, or friction. They can vary in severity, from minor superficial burns to severe deep burns that can be life-threatening.
The damage results in the death of skin cells, which can lead to a massive loss of fluid. Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and renal and circulatory failure follow, which can be fatal. Burn patients are treated with intravenous fluids to offset...
Liver Regeneration01:24

Liver Regeneration

The liver is an important organ in vertebrates that plays an essential role in metabolism. It is also responsible for storing and redistributing nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, and vitamins in the body. Additionally, the liver releases bile salts which are critical for digesting food and eliminating toxic metabolites from the body.
Cells of Liver
The liver comprises four major types of cells— hepatocytes, stellate, Kupffer, and sinusoidal endothelial cells. The hepatocytes are large...
Clinical Applications of Epidermal Stem Cells01:19

Clinical Applications of Epidermal Stem Cells

Epidermal stem cells (EpiSCs) are mainly located at the basal layer of the epidermis. These cells repair minor injuries of the skin and replace dead skin cells. However, EpiSCs’ cannot heal severe wounds such as major burns or those from diabetes or hereditary disorders. In such cases, culturing the epidermal stem cells from the patient is possible and has yielded successful treatment options, such as laboratory-grown skin grafts. These grafts are synthesized using a patient’s own EpiSCs...
Chronic Inflammation: Introduction01:12

Chronic Inflammation: Introduction

Chronic inflammation is a prolonged, dysregulated immune response that persists for weeks to years when the inciting stimulus is difficult to eradicate or when self‑antigens drive ongoing reactivity. Morphologically, it is defined by mononuclear cell infiltration, progressive tissue destruction, and concurrent attempts at healing via angiogenesis and fibrosis. Compared with acute inflammation, edema is less prominent while cellular infiltration predominates; triggers include persistent...
Healing II: Complications01:24

Healing II: Complications

Complications during healing arise when tissue repair is altered by local or systemic factors. These changes involve abnormal collagen deposition, altered biomechanics, and reduced vascular supply, impairing restoration of normal structure and function.Loss of FunctionScar tissue differs significantly from the original tissue it replaces. In the skin, fibrosis lacks adnexal structures such as hair follicles, sebaceous glands, and sweat glands. Their absence reduces tactile sensitivity, impairs...