What role does mitosis play in the healing process?

Mitosis facilitates tissue repair in organisms by replacing damaged or worn-out cells. Oriented mitotic division of epithelial stem cells (ESCs) play a crucial role in wound healing and repair. During early embryonic development, ESCs undergo prolonged symmetric divisions, generating a significant pool of stem cells necessary for tissue repair. The ability to switch between symmetric and asymmetric division likely enhances the repair capacity and potentially contributes to longer lifespan. When cells undergo oriented mitotic division as part of the natural healing process, the impaired skin has the potential for perfect repair. In contrast, if cell division orientation becomes random, it can result in fibrous tissue overgrowth (fibrosis), abnormal tissue structure, and ultimately lead to scar formation.

Symmetric division of ESCs contributes to cell proliferation, which is essential for tissue regeneration. Asymmetric division, on the other hand, allows for the generation of different cell types and maintains the stem cell pool. The balance between symmetric and asymmetric divisions may influence the capacity for tissue repair and regeneration. The ability to control the orientation of cell division between symmetric and asymmetric divisions as needed, may enhance the body's ability to repair tissues effectively and potentially reduce scarring.