Wound healing--scar wars.

Scafring following wounding is a major medical problem. In skin wounds or bums scarring often leads to adverse cosmesis and consequent psychological problems, adverse function particularly over joints and retardation of growth especially in children. Scarring in muscle adversely affects movement and can cause ankylosis. In abdominal and pelvic organs scarring can lead to life threatening strictures and adhesions. In the eye, scarring can cause blindness, whilst in the central nervous system scarring inhibits neuronal reconnection and hence restoration of neuronal function. In almost every organ and tissue, scarring following injury or trauma is a major problem, for which there are no good preventative or therapeutic regimens.