Animal Models of Excessive Healing in Cutaneous Wounds - Abstract
Hypertrophic scars and keloids are disfiguring fibro proliferative disorders that can significantly impair the quality of life of affected individuals. Their treatments are challenging given how little is known about the mechanism underlying their development. The lack of in vivo preclinical animal models has greatly hindered research efforts aimed at improving our understanding of these diseases and developing new therapeutic approaches. This review aims to provide an overview of current preclinical models of hypertrophic scars and keloids in murine, rabbits, porcine, guinea pigs, dogs, and horse. In showing their strengths, limitations, and distinct utilities, we hope that investigators can utilize a model that is appropriate to their research endeavor. In addition, this paper urges researchers to complement their investigations in animal studies with those conducted with clinical samples, a strategy that must be employed until more suitable preclinical models are developed.