Connexins in wound healing; perspectives in diabetic patients

► Cx43 downregulates in wound edge keratinocytes and fibroblasts as they become migratory. ► Cx43 upregulates in blood vessels around a site of injury as they become inflamed and leaky. ► Actively reducing Cx43 in a wound speeds keratinocyte and fibroblast migration and healing whilst reducing inflammation. ► Preventing abnormal expression of Cx43 in the STZ diabetic rat wound edge keratinocytes rescues wound healing rates. ► Application of Cx43 antisense to venous leg ulcers significantly promotes their healing.