Pharmazentrum Frankfurt, Klinikum der Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Correspondence: Dr Stefan Frank, Pharmazentrum Frankfurt, Institut für Allgemeine Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Klinikum der JW Goethe-Universität Frankfurt/M., Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, D-60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany. E-mail: S.Frank@em.uni-frankfurt.de

Abstract

Nitric oxide drives skin repair: Novel functions of an established mediator. Wound healing of the skin represents a highly ordered process of important tissue movements that aims for a rapid closure of the wound site and a subsequent regeneration of the injured tissue. The factors ensuring the intercellular communication during repair are only known in part. However, although protein-type mediators are well-established players in this process, it has become evident that the diffusible, gaseous molecule nitric oxide (NO) participates in the orchestration of wound healing. The role of wound-derived NO that critically influences macrophage, fibroblast, and keratinocyte behaviour within the intercellular communication network during repair is subject of this review. Thus, cutaneous wound healing prototypically reflects processes that generally occur also in kidney injury and regeneration.