Forced back into shape: Mechanics of epithelial wound repair

Abstract

Wound repair, the closing of a hole, is inherently a physical process that requires the change of shape of materials, in this case, cells and tissues. Not only is efficient and accurate wound repair critical for restoring barrier function and reducing infection, but it is also critical for restoring the complex three-dimensional architecture of an organ. This re-sculpting of tissues requires the complex coordination of cell behaviours in multiple dimensions, in space and time, to ensure that the repaired structure can continue functioning optimally. Recent evidence highlights the importance of cell and tissue mechanics in 2D and 3D to achieve such seamless wound repair.