Biological implications of a discrete mathematical model for collagen deposition and alignment in dermal wound repair

We deveiop a novel mathematical model for collagen depositionand alignment during dermal wound healing. We focus on the interactionsbetween fibroblasts, modelled as discrete entities, and a continuousextracellular matrix composed of collagen and a fibrin basedblood clot. There are four basic interactions assumed in themodel: fibroblasts orient the collagen matrix, fibroblasts produceand degrade collagen and fibrin and the matrix directs the fibroblastsand determines the speed of the cells. Several factors whichinfluence the alignment of collagen are examined and relatedto current anti-scarring therapies using transforming growthfactor ß. The most influential of these factors arecell speed and, more importantly for wound healing, the influxof fibroblasts from surrounding tissue.