Early activation of fibroblasts during PDT treatment in leg ulcers.

Abstract

The present findings support a primary role of fibroblasts in the wound healing process upon PDT treatment, given their early and intense reaction to injury. Mast cells seem to play an accessory yet important role, on the basis of their number and degranulation index variations and expression of basic FGF. In addition, the clustering of mast cells with fibroblasts around blood vessels suggest that these cells may stimulate angiogenesis and, in parallel, fibroblasts to secrete extracellular matrix during PDT therapy.