Experimental models and methods for cutaneous wound healing assessment

Area of Science:

• Regenerative Medicine
• Translational Research
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Wound healing is a complex biological process involving multiple phases and cell types.
• Preclinical models are essential for studying wound healing, but require careful selection and methodology.
• Acute and impaired wounds (e.g., diabetic) present unique challenges in research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive overview of preclinical models for wound healing research.
• To detail various methods for assessing wound healing progression.
• To assist researchers in designing and conducting effective wound healing studies.

Main Methods:

• Overview of common preclinical models: incisional, excisional, burn, and impaired wounds in animals (mice, rabbits, pigs).
• Description of non-invasive assessment techniques: wound tracing, photographic analysis, and biophysical methods.
• Inclusion of invasive assessment techniques: wound biopsies for histopathological, immunological, and biochemical assays.

Main Results:

• The article categorizes and describes key animal models used in wound healing research.
• It presents a range of methods for monitoring wound healing rates and characteristics.
• The study highlights the importance of selecting appropriate models and assessment tools for reproducible results.

Conclusions:

• Effective wound healing research relies on the judicious selection of animal models and assessment methodologies.
• Standardized and reproducible methods are crucial for accurate monitoring of wound healing.
• This overview serves as a guide for researchers to optimize their experimental designs.