How do epidermal matrix metalloproteinases support re-epithelialization during skin healing?

Epithelialization of normal wounds occurs by an orderly series of events whereby keratinocytes migrate, proliferate, and differentiate to restore the epidermal barrier function. Keratinocyte migration is one of the earliest and crucial events determining the efficiency of the overall wound repair process. In response to various stimuli including that of growth factors, cytokines and the extracellular matrix, activated keratinocytes at the edges...