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Macrophage-derived growth factors in wound healing: regulation of growth factor production by the oxygen
1Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55455.
Abstract:
There is a large amount of current research investigating the pathophysiologic aspects of pulmonary hypertension. Results of this research indicate the potential role of the macrophage as one possible mediator of pulmonary hypertension. The macrophage has been shown to produce numerous soluble mediators, including various growth factors, some of which may be involved in the cellular proliferation of the arterial wall. Most of the knowledge regarding oxygen microenvironments, macrophages, and growth factor production comes from research on the healing wound. A considerable amount of what has been learned about the role of the macrophage in cutaneous wound healing may have direct applicability to macrophage function in acute lung injury and repair, and pulmonary hypertension. Macrophages play a pivotal role in cutaneous wound repair. They participate in immunologic and nonspecific host defense responses and produce numerous growth factors that regulate mesenchymal cell proliferation, migration, and synthesis of extracellular matrix proteins. These same responses are probably at work during the progression of pulmonary hypertension.
Insights
Macrophages may drive pulmonary hypertension by releasing growth factors that cause arterial wall cell proliferation, similar to their role in wound healing. This highlights macrophages as key mediators in pulmonary hypertension research.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Pulmonary hypertension research is actively investigating its pathophysiologic mechanisms.
- Macrophages are implicated as potential mediators in pulmonary hypertension.
- Knowledge of macrophage function in oxygen microenvironments and growth factor production often stems from wound healing research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the role of macrophages in the pathophysiology of pulmonary hypertension.
- To investigate the potential applicability of findings from cutaneous wound healing to pulmonary hypertension.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing research on macrophage function in wound healing.
- Extrapolation of wound healing mechanisms to the context of acute lung injury and pulmonary hypertension.
Main Results:
- Macrophages produce soluble mediators, including growth factors, that can drive arterial wall cell proliferation.
- Macrophage-mediated processes in cutaneous wound repair, such as immune defense and growth factor production, are likely involved in pulmonary hypertension progression.
Conclusions:
- Macrophages play a critical role in wound repair by regulating cell proliferation and extracellular matrix synthesis.
- The functions of macrophages in wound healing may directly inform our understanding of their role in pulmonary hypertension.