Wound angiogenesis as a function of tissue oxygen tension: a mathematical model.

Abstract

Wound healing represents a well orchestrated reparative response that is induced by injuries. Angiogenesis plays a central role in wound healing. In this work, we sought to develop the first mathematical model directed at addressing the role of tissue oxygen tension on cutaneous wound healing. Key components of the developed model include capillary tips, capillary sprouts, fibroblasts, inflammatory cells, chemoattractants, oxygen, and the extracellular matrix. The model consists of a system of nonlinear partial differential equations describing the interactions in space and time of these variables. The simulated results agree with the reported literature on the biology of wound healing. The proposed model represents a useful tool to analyze strategies for improved healing and generate a hypothesis for experimental testing.