Biological Principles of Scar and Contracture

Hypertrophic scar and contracture in burn patients is a complex process. Contributing factors include critical injury depth and activation of key cell subpopulations, including deep dermal fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, fibrocytes, and T-helper cells, which cause scarring rather than regeneration. These cells influence each other via cellular profibrotic and antifibrotic signals, which help to determine the outcome. These cells also both modify and interact with extracellular matrix of the wound, ultimately forming hypertrophic scar. Current treatments reduce hypertrophic scar formation or improve remodeling by targeting these pathways and signals.