Abstract
Activated myofibroblasts are key effector cells in tissue fibrosis. Emerging evidence suggests that myofibroblasts infiltrating fibrotic tissues originate predominantly from local mesenchyme-derived populations. Alterations in the extracellular matrix network play an important role in modulating fibroblast phenotype and function. In a pro-inflammatory environment, generation of matrix fragments may induce a matrix-degrading fibroblast phenotype. Deposition of ED-A fibronectin plays an important role in myofibroblast transdifferentiation. In fibrotic tissues, the matrix is enriched with matricellular macromolecules that regulate growth factor-mediated responses and modulate protease activation. This manuscript discusses emerging concepts on the role of the extracellular matrix in regulation of fibroblast behavior.
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Acknowledgments
Dr Frangogiannis’ laboratory is supported by NIH Grants R01 HL76246 and R01 HL85440.
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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Matrix Pathobiology.
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Frangogiannis, N.G. Fibroblast—Extracellular Matrix Interactions in Tissue Fibrosis. Curr Pathobiol Rep 4, 11–18 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40139-016-0099-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40139-016-0099-1