Regulatory Processes of the Canonical Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway and Photobiomodulation in Diabetic Wound Repair

Skin is a biological system composed of different types of cells within a firmly structured extracellular matrix and is exposed to various external and internal insults that can break its configuration. The restoration of skin's anatomic continuity and function following injury is a multifaceted, dynamic, well-coordinated process that is highly dependent on signalling pathways, including the canonical Wnt/beta catenin pathway, all aimed at restoring the skin's protective barrier. Compromised and inappropriate tissue restoration processes are often the source of wound chronicity. Diabetic patients have a high risk of developing major impediments including wound contamination and limb amputation due to chronic, non-healing wounds. Photobiomodulation (PBM) involves the application of low-powered light at specific wavelengths to influence different biological activities that incite and quicken tissue restoration. PBM has been shown to modulate cellular behaviour through a variety of signal transduction pathways, including the Wnt/beta catenin pathway; however, the role of Wnt/beta catenin in chronic wound healing in response to PBM has not been fully defined. This review largely focuses on the role of key signalling pathways in human skin wound repair, specifically, the canonical Wnt/beta-catenin pathway, and the effects of PBM on chronic wound healing.

Automated summary

Skin repair after injury is a complex and dynamic process that relies on signaling pathways, including the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway, to restore the skin's protective barrier. Diabetic patients are at a high risk of chronic, non-healing wounds, but photobiomodulation (PBM) can accelerate tissue repair by modulating cellular behavior. This review focuses on key signaling pathways in human skin wound repair and the effects of PBM on chronic wound healing.