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Granulocytes (polymorphonuclear leukocytes, PMNs) and monocytes/ macrophages are important in wound healing. Within the first few hours PMNs and monocytes begin to infiltrate sites of injury. The major function of PMNs is to kill microbes and phagocytose cellular debris so that healing can proceed [1]. Monocytes/macrophages invading the wound are also active in phagocytosis. In addition they release a number of cytokines including growth factors, interleukin-8 (IL-8), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) needed for new tissue formation and shown to stimulate PMNs [1–3].

Wound healing has always been a fascinating phenomenon for physicians and surgeons. Wounds usually close by forming new granulation tissue, contracting, and re-epithelializing. Before granulation begins, polymor-phonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) and monocytes/macrophages (MCs) are chemotactically attracted to sites of injury. Upon contact with various stimuli in the wound including bioactive lipids, complement components, certain cytokines, e.g., tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) [1], granulocyte/ monocyte-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and interleukin-8, and particles such as microorganisms, phagocytes respond by a respiratory burst consisting of a markedly enhanced uptake of oxygen, activation of the hexose monophosphate shunt, and generation of oxygen intermediates comprising Superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical and singlet oxygen [1, 2]. These compounds are able to kill microorganisms and to destroy tissue resulting in wound decontamination and wound debridement (summarized in [3]).

Bis jetzt wurden von uns 40 histologisch verifizierte Melanome des Menschen und 36 Proben aus sie umgebenden Hautarealen auf ihren Gehalt an Ostrogen- (ER) und Progesteronrezeptoren (PgR) untersucht.