Why does epidermal growth factor (EGF) promote keratinocyte proliferation during wound healing, rather than immediate collagen deposition?

💡 Explanation

EGF stimulates keratinocyte proliferation for wound closure through re-epithelialization, a process that must occur before the collagen matrix is remodeled; therefore, keratinocyte division is prioritized rather than collagen production, because restoring the epidermal barrier is essential to prevent infection and dehydration.

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