Fibronectin, a fibrillar
glycoprotein, is the major adhesive
protein deposited at the
wound interface during acute wound healing. Its abilities to interact with both cells and matrix are responsible for its description and characterization as a multifunctional adhesive
glycoprotein.
Fibronectin functions to promote cell adhesion, cell shape and spreading, organization of the cytoskeleton, hemostasis and
thrombosis, cell migration, and phagocytosis. Both in vitro and in vivo studies indicate that
fibronectin interacts with cells important to wound healing, including platelets, neutrophils, monocytes, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and epidermal cells. It promotes adhesion between cells and between cell and matrix, cell spreading, migration, chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and matrix and basement membrane organization.
Fibronectin is consequently active during each stage of wound healing. Its importance in acute wound healing is now widely recognized. More recently, investigators have begun to study
fibronectin's role in chronic
wounds. This article briefly reviews
fibronectin, outlines its role in wound healing, and discusses current research on
fibronectin in chronic
wounds.