Studies in wound healing. IV. Retardation of contraction by localx-irradiation, and observations relating to the origin of fibroblasts in repair.

Abstract

Initiation and rate of skin wound closure by contraction x irradiation (750 r). Complete closure ultimately occurred. Maximum effect followed irradiation between 24 and 48 hours after wounding; only slight effect followed radiation at five days or later. Depression of fibroblast formation, inhibition of capillary proliferation and disorganization of the architecture of repair resulted from irradiation, concomitantly with retardation of contraction. The data are consistent with a theory that wound closure by contraction may result from oriented cell migration. The findings support the probability of local origin of fibroblasts in wound repair. (auth)