It has been found that placental alkaline phosphatase interacts synergistically with growth factors and corresponding serum factors to stimulate the proliferation of adult fibroblast cells. Furthermore, this stimulation of fibroblast proliferation does not result in a corresponding stimulation of collagen synthesis. Thus, wound healing compositions can be formulated that improve wound healing without increasing scar formation. Compositions for wound healing can include placental alkaline phosphatase and a gel-forming material. In some embodiments, compositions include placental alkaline phosphatase and serum/growth factors. In addition to wound healing applications, compositions with placental alkaline phosphatase can also be used in cell culturing of adult fibroblast cells.