Cutaneous wound healing—insights from the matricellular perspective

Wound healing in the skin is a coordinated process in which the extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a central regulatory role. While the structural constituents of the ECM, such as collagens and elastin, are responsible for the shape and mechanical strength of the tissue, the modulatory functions of the ECM are largely mediated by nonstructural matricellular proteins. These proteins bind to structural ECM components, cell surface receptors and other extracellular molecules to fine-tune cellular behaviour throughout the different phases of wound healing. The signalling cascades evoked by matricellular proteins modulate key cellular processes, including proliferation, migration and differentiation-functions essential for effective tissue regeneration. This review provides an update about the mechanisms by which matricellular proteins orchestrate the wound healing process.