Inflammation and repair · USMLE Step 1

Which factor is most critical in determining whether injured tissue regenerates completely or scars by fibrosis during repair?

  1. Number of infiltrating neutrophils
  2. Intact stem cells and basement membrane
  3. Amount of leukotriene produced
  4. Local rate of blood flow
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Correct answer: Intact stem cells and basement membrane

Tissue regeneration requires viable parenchymal/regenerative cells and an intact basement membrane/ECM framework; if these are lost, repair proceeds via scar formation/fibrosis.

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