Inflammatory Phase (Wound Healing)
The initial response to tissue injury (lasting approximately 1-5 days) where immune cells remove debris and pathogens. Inflammation is necessary for healing but excessive inflammation can impair repair. Some research peptides are studied for anti-inflammatory properties in the wound healing context.
Technical Context
The inflammatory phase is essential for debridement and infection control. Neutrophils arrive within hours (recruited by complement fragments, bacterial products, and platelet chemokines), peaking at 24-48h. They phagocytose bacteria and debris, release reactive oxygen species and proteases, and die within 24-48h (forming part of wound exudate). Macrophages arrive by day 2-3 and orchestrate the inflammatory-to-proliferative transition by: clearing neutrophil debris (efferocytosis), producing growth factors (TGF-β, PDGF, VEGF, FGF), and phenotype-switching from pro-inflammatory (M1) to pro-reparative (M2). Excessive or prolonged inflammation impairs healing — chronic wounds (diabetic ulcers, venous ulcers) are often stalled in the inflammatory phase. Anti-inflammatory peptides are investigated for rebalancing this phase without completely suppressing the protective immune response.