Fibronectin in early phases of wound healing in children.

Fibronectin, an adhesive glycoprotein, was demonstrated with the Cellstic device in healing wounds of 13 children after routine surgery. An indirect immunofluorescent method was adapted to cytological and histological specimens made from the Cellstic sponges 1 to 92 hours after operation. As early as one hour after Cellstic implantation some bright fluorescent spots could be seen in the cytological specimens, although cell morphology still fully resembled to that of peripheral blood. The intensity of the fibronectin fluorescence increased rapidly until the maximum was reached 24-48 hours after surgery. Thereafter the fluorescence gradually decreased to the level of the first hours. Rapid appearance of fibronectin, its abundance on the second day and gradual diminution upon the activation of type I collagen synthesis indicate its role as a biological guide for localization of cellular activity in wound repair.