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Keratinocyte growth factor is crucial for wound healing, as it signals the body to create new cells. Keratinocytes form a layer of epithelium that covers the wound, and existing skin cells move through the wound to form new tissue. Cell formation is 17 times faster in wounds than anywhere else in the body.
Keratinocyte growth factor, also known as KGF of FGF7, is important for wound healing. Growth factor cells are the first to move onto a wound, forming a new layer of skin. All movement and growth occurs under the scab of the wound. Keratinocyte growth factor is also a type of signaling cell, as it lets the body know that new cells are needed.
A growth factor is a compound that occurs naturally in the body and promotes cell growth. Typically, these compounds act as signaling molecules, binding to cells and letting other compounds and enzymes in the body know where new cells are needed. They are also important for cell differentiation or for determining what type of cell new ones will become.
Keratinocytes are a type of cell found mostly in the outermost layer of the skin. Over 95% of all skin cells are ketinocytes. The main function of these cells is to provide protection from the environment and pathogens.
When the body is injured, keratinocyte growth factor comes into play. The keratinocytes form a layer of epithelium that completely covers the wound in a process known as epithelialization. The epithelium is one of the four major tissue types. This tissue lines the cells and surfaces of many structures in the body, including the skin.
This epithelialization is only part of wound healing, which normally occurs at the end of healing after inflammation. Existing skin cells will move through the wound to form new tissue. Typically, keratinocyte growth factor cells are the first to move to the wound; mobilization begins only a few hours after the wound is inflicted.
In order to move, keratinocyte growth factor cells have to change shape, becoming flatter and longer. All movement occurs under the wound scab, eventually separating the scab from any underlying tissue. A humid environment favors the movement of keratinocytes because the humidity dissolves the crust, reducing its size and hardness.
A few days after the kerotinocyte growth factor starts moving, the cells will begin to replicate, creating new skin cells. Cell formation is 17 times faster in wounds than anywhere else in the body. Initially, only the cells at the edges of the wound will replicate. When the entire wound is covered with new cells, cell formation occurs on all the cells covering the wound.
Once the keratinocyte growth factor meets in the middle of the wound, the cells stop moving. Growth factor begins to produce and release proteins that form the beginning of cell membranes. New connections are made with existing skin cells until the break in the skin or epidermis is completely healed.
