In wound healing, which cell type is primarily involved in the inflammatory phase?

During the inflammatory phase of wound healing, neutrophils are the primary cell type involved. Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell that serves as one of the first responders to sites of injury or infection. Their primary functions include phagocytosing pathogens and debris, releasing enzymes and reactive oxygen species to kill bacteria, and producing signaling molecules that facilitate the recruitment of other immune cells.

The inflammatory phase is characterized by the body's acute response to injury, which seeks to prevent infection and begin the healing process. Neutrophils migrate to the wound site following signals like chemokines and cytokines released by damaged tissues and other immune cells. Once at the site of injury, neutrophils play a crucial role in clearing the wound of debris and pathogens, thus creating a conducive environment for subsequent phases of wound healing, such as the proliferative phase.

While other cell types, such as macrophages, platelets, and fibroblasts, also play important roles in the healing process, they typically become more prominent in later phases. Macrophages arrive shortly after neutrophils and are pivotal for the transition between the inflammatory phase and the proliferative phase, as they help clean up remaining debris and facilitate tissue regeneration. Platelets are important for