The neglected role of copper ions in wound healing

• Dysregulation of physiological wound healing leads to morbidity and mortality.
• Copper ions modulate the activity of proteins involved in wound healing.
• Control of copper homeostasis might be a target for therapeutic intervention.

Wound healing is a complex biological process that aims to repair damaged tissue. Even though many biological and biochemical mechanisms associated with the steps of physiological wound healing are known, there is still significant morbidity and mortality due to dysregulation of physiological mechanisms. It might be useful to revise the activity of old players and their links with new, often neglected, molecular entities. This review revises new findings supporting the hypothesis that copper ions regulate the activity and/or the expression of proteins crucially involved in the wound repair process. A better understanding of these interactions might suggest potential new targets for therapeutic intervention on scars or non-healing wounds.

Copper ions in wound healing: new insight for future applicationsFigure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide