The Role of T Lymphocytes in Cutaneous Scarring

Significance: Cutaneous scarring affects millions of patients worldwide and results in significant financial and psychosocial burdens. Given the immune system's intricate involvement in the initiation and progression of wound healing, it is no surprise that the scarring outcome can be affected by the actions of various immune cells and the cytokines and growth factors they produce. Understanding the role of T cells in regulating immune responses and directing the action of wound mesenchymal cells is essential to developing antifibrotic therapies to reduce the burden of scarring. Recent Advances: As the immune system is intimately involved in wound healing, much work has examined the impact of T cells and their cytokines on the final wound outcome. New innovative tools for studying T cells have resulted in more sophisticated immunophenotyping capabilities and the ability to examine effects of individual cytokines in the wound environment. Critical Issues: Despite continued advances in the study of specific immune cells and their effects on dermal fibrosis, minimal progress has been made to modulate immune responses to result in improved wound cosmesis. Future Directions: The actions of T cells represent potential pharmacologic targets that could lead to novel bioengineered or immunoengineered therapies to improve the lives of people with cutaneous scarring.