Abstract
An active resolution is critical to control the duration of inflammation and limit its pathological consequences. Defects in resolution during wound healing allow the emergence of chronic wounds, a common complication in the elderly. Here, we show that basophils accumulate in perivascular areas at the periphery of mouse skin wounds for at least 3 wk, during both the inflammation and resolution phases of wound healing. Depletion of basophils induces an increased secretion of inflammatory molecules, accumulation and activation of pro-inflammatory leukocytes, and delays the wound healing response. Basophils particularly promote epidermal differentiation towards homeostasis. These properties are particularly driven by basophil-derived IL-4. Unexpectedly, aged mice basophils more potently infiltrate skin wounds to promote inflammation resolution. Thus, basophils are pro-resolution cells during an essential biological process such as skin wound healing. Unraveling basophil pro-resolution properties may reveal new strategies to fight chronic wounds in the elderly.