Table 1.
Comparison of the immune microenvironment between acute and chronic wounds
Components | Acute Wounds | Chronic Wounds |
---|---|---|
Inflammation | Controlled | Increased |
Neutrophils | Present only during early phase | Prolonged presence |
Controlled NETosis | Increased NETosis | |
Macrophages | Polarization transition from pro- to anti- inflammatory phenotype | Impaired polarization |
Inflammatory cytokines | Low level | Increased level |
Anti-inflammatory cytokines | High level | Low level |
Granulation tissue | Present | Low amount |
MMPs | Low level | High level |
TIMPs | Normal level | Low level when compared to increased MMPs |
Fibrosis | Low level | Increased |
Growth factors/cytokines | Normal degradation rate | Increased degradation rate |
MMP, matrix metalloproteinase; NET, neutrophil extracellular trap; TIMP, tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase.