Faculty Bibliography

The hedgehog family of morphogens (sonic [Shh], Indian, and desert hedgehog) are central regulators of embryologic growth and tissue patterning. Although recent work implicates Shh in postnatal tissue repair and development, conclusive evidence is lacking. Here, we demonstrated the importance of Shh in wound repair, by examining the effects of cyclopamine, a specific inhibitor of the Shh signaling cascade, on tissue repair. Using a murine-splinted excisional wound model, which attenuates wound contraction in this loose-skinned rodent, we established that, by all measures (wound closure, epithelialization, granulation formation, vascularity, and proliferation), wound healing was profoundly impaired when Shh signaling was disrupted. Because embryonic disruption of Shh is associated with distinct phenotypic defects, our findings invite investigation of the potential role of Shh signaling under postnatal conditions associated with disregulated wound healing

Breast cancer often leads to significant alteration of body image and disfigurement of the breast. Reconstruction for breast cancer defects can provide the patient with a restored breast contour. The potential benefit of breast cancer reconstructive surgery is to increase the patient's post-surgical quality of life and alleviate the posttraumatic psychological sequelae of breast cancer surgery. Time of breast cancer diagnosis is an important point of access for patients to receive information on breast reconstruction. Access to this information and plastic surgeons in the early phases of diagnosis is critical to a patient's decision to undergo reconstructive surgery, but is currently underutilized in the United States. Breast cancer reconstruction is a complex process that should be treated in a multidisciplinary fashion. This process must begin with the identification and treatment of psychological issues preceding or accompanying breast cancer diagnosis. These psychological problems should be addressed immediately and can significantly influence a patient's decision toward and level of satisfaction with breast cancer reconstruction. Breast reconstruction continues to be an essential element in helping patients recover from the diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer.