Advances in the Mechanism of Myofibroblasts in Wound Contraction: Clinical Implications for Surgical Practice

Abstract

Wound contraction is a pivotal component of the wound healing cascade, and contractions of moderate intensity and duration can exert a facilitative effect on the healing process to a certain extent. Accumulating evidence indicates that α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)-positive myofibroblasts act as the primary functional effector cells mediating wound contraction, whose regulatory role in this process depends on their cellular abundance and functional activity, thereby exerting a profound impact on wound healing outcomes. Recent advances in research pertaining to wound contraction and healing have deepened the mechanistic insights into these intertwined biological processes. Against this backdrop, the present review synthesizes current literature on the multifaceted roles of myofibroblasts in wound contraction and healing, with a particular focus on establishing explicit connections to clinical decision-making in surgical practice. It is anticipated that this work will provide valuable insights to advance both basic research and clinical translation in this field.