Tissue Repair

Tissue repair is defined as the restoration of tissue architecture and function following an injury. In toxicant-induced injury, tissue repair plays a primary role in determining whether the patient will recover from injury, or whether the injury will progress and lead to death. This article describes the process of tissue repair with particular emphasis on features unique to chemical-induced injury. The main steps in repair, along with important molecular signaling mechanisms, are reviewed. Factors determining the extent of repair following toxic injury are discussed. Features of tissue repair unique to the lung, liver, and kidney are considered. Finally, the importance of tissue repair in the development of treatment strategies following toxic exposure is discussed.