It has been discovered that increasing telomerase activity in cells surrounding a wound has a variety of effects that enhance wound healing. Replication capacity is enhanced, and the mobility of the epithelial cells can be increased by 3-fold or more. Some aspects of the invention relate to agents that increase telomerase activity in cells at the site of the wound, promoting cells to move to the site and restore an epithelial layer and the underlying stratum. Other aspects of the invention relate to compositions comprising epithelial cells in which telomerase activity has been increased, useful as grafts for the treatment of wounds.