Interactions between tissues engaged in wound repair and skeletal muscle regeneration.

Enhanced accumulation of granulation tissue in a wound healing model was observed in the presence of regenerating skeletal muscle. This study characterized the tissue accumulated in the normal wound healing and regeneration-adapted models. DNA, RNA, total protein, collagen, and noncollagen protein content, and protein:DNA and noncollagen protein:collagen ratios were determined using standard methods. DNA did not differ; but RNA increased and total protein decreased compared to early granulation tissue. Mean protein: DNA ratio was lower in regeneration-associated granulation tissue compared to age-matched normal and early granulation tissue. Collagen was reduced and noncollagen protein was increased in tissue surrounding regenerating muscle, yielding an elevated noncollagen:collagen ratio. The relative cellularity of granulation tissue was enhanced and collagen deposition potentially reduced, when accompanied by regeneration. Factors from a regeneration environment can interact with cells engaged in wound repair and potentially alter their behavior.