Exploring the Association between Inflammatory Factors and the Development of Pathological Scars

Pathological scars are a type of disease characterized by abnormal fibrous hyperplasia, including two types: hypertrophic scars and keloids. They are the result of abnormal hyperplasia during the process of skin wound healing, which seriously affects the appearance and quality of life of patients. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have shown that the inflammatory response plays a crucial role in the formation and development of pathological scars. Inflammation is a defensive response of the body to injury or infection, involving the interaction of multiple cells, mediators, and signaling pathways. During the process of skin wound healing, the inflammatory response stage is essential for clearing pathogens and promoting tissue repair. However, excessive inflammatory response or abnormal release of inflammatory mediators may lead to abnormal hyperplasia of scar tissue. Studies have found that the expression levels of various inflammatory factors, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), etc., are significantly higher in pathological scar tissues than in normal skin tissues. These inflammatory factors participate in the formation of pathological scars through multiple pathways, such as activating fibroblasts, inducing excessive deposition of the extracellular matrix, and promoting angiogenesis. Oxidative stress and the regulation of microRNAs can induce the expression and release of inflammatory factors, thus indirectly promoting the formation of pathological scars. Through a comprehensive analysis of relevant domestic and foreign literature, this study systematically expounds the specific mechanisms of action of inflammatory factors, fibroblasts, oxidative stress, and microRNAs in the occurrence and development of pathological scars.