Modeling the role of angiogenesis in epidermal wound healing
Abstract
The effects of angiogenesis on oxygenation of an epidermal wound
are described using a mathematical model. Diffusion equations are used to
characterize the dependence of the wounded tissue regeneration on oxygen
availability, which in turn affects the production of the Macrophage Derived
Growth Factors (MDGFs) and as a result the growth of capillary density.
When the capillaries grow beyond a certain point, they contribute to their
own growth retardation, and as a result, a negative feedback mechanism is
build into the system. The results of this model suggest that in order for an
epidermal wound to be healed successfully the levels of oxygen concentration
within the wounded area must be low. This process parallels an earlier mathematical
model developed to describe the capillary growth in the retina, and
demonstrates the generality and application of such a modeling approach to
various biological phenomena involving growth factors.