ABSTRACT
Faced with a venous leg ulcer that fails to heal despite proper use of conventional treatments, it is an appealing thought that the topical application of a missing factor might lead to successful wound healing. The mechanisms which result in wound healing are complex and are coordinated by a complex system of chemical signalling mechanisms (cytokines) which are released by many of the cells involved in the healing process. These ensure that blood vessels grow into the region bringing fibroblasts to create the connective tissue and subsequently keratinocytes to form new skin. When healing is complete, the huge synthesis of new tissues must be switched off again. The many mechanisms involved are complex and might be manipulated by drugs or synthetic cytokines applied directly to the ulcer. In wound healing circles, cytokines which manipulate and regulate the growth of specific cell types are referred to as ‘growth factors’.
