The neglected role of copper ions in wound healing

Abstract

Wound healing is a complex biological process that aims to repair damaged tissue. Even though many biological and biochemical mechanisms associated with the steps of physiological wound healing are known, there is still significant morbidity and mortality due to dysregulation of physiological mechanisms. It might be useful to revise the activity of old players and their links with new, often neglected, molecular entities. This review revises new findings supporting the hypothesis that copper ions regulate the activity and/or the expression of proteins crucially involved in the wound repair process. A better understanding of these interactions might suggest potential new targets for therapeutic intervention on scars or non-healing wounds.

Keywords: Angiogenesis; Copper; Inflammation; Metal ion homeostasis; Nerve Growth Factor; Would healing.