Growth factors and wound healing: Part II. Role in normal and chronic wound healing.

Wound healing is a complex biologic process that involves the integration of inflammation, mitosis, angiogenesis, synthesis, and remodeling of the extracellular matrix. Part II of this two-part series reviews the results of experiments that indicate that growth factors and their receptors regulate key aspects of soft and hard tissue repair. Results of clinical studies are also reviewed that demonstrate that growth factor treatment accelerates healing of normal tissues and promotes healing of impaired wounds.