Biological implications of a discrete mathematical model for collagen deposition and alignment in dermal wound repair

JOHN DALLON, JONATHAN SHERRATT, PHILIP MAINI, MARK FERGUSON
2000 IMA Journal of Mathematical Control and Information  
We develop a novel mathematical model for collagen deposition and alignment during dermal wound healing. We focus on the interactions between fibroblasts, modelled as discrete entities, and a continuous extracellular matrix composed of collagen and a fibrin based blood clot There are four basic interactions assumed in the model: fibroblasts orient the collagen matrix, fibroblasts produce and degrade collagen and fibrin and the matrix directs the fibroblasts and determines the speed of the
more » ... Several factors which influence the alignment of collagen are examined and related to current anti-scarring therapies using transforming growth factor ft. The most influential of these factors are cell speed and, more importantly for wound healing, the influx of fibroblasts from surrounding tissue.
doi:10.1093/imamci/17.4.379 fatcat:n7lduj6yhrdrdh224eozbedkmy