Biological Perspectives
The Myofibroblast: One Function, Multiple Origins

https://doi.org/10.2353/ajpath.2007.070112Get rights and content

The crucial role played by the myofibroblast in wound healing and pathological organ remodeling is well established; the general mechanisms of extracellular matrix synthesis and of tension production by this cell have been amply clarified. This review discusses the pattern of myofibroblast accumulation and fibrosis evolution during lung and liver fibrosis as well as during atheromatous plaque formation. Special attention is paid to the specific features characterizing each of these processes, including the spectrum of different myofibroblast precursors and the distinct pathways involved in the formation of differentiated myofibroblasts in each lesion. Thus, whereas in lung fibrosis it seems that most myofibroblasts derive from resident fibroblasts, hepatic stellate cells are the main contributor for liver fibrosis and media smooth muscle cells are the main contributor for the atheromatous plaque. A better knowledge of the molecular mechanisms conducing to the appearance of differentiated myofibroblasts in each pathological situation will be useful for the understanding of fibrosis development in different organs and for the planning of strategies aiming at their prevention and therapy.

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Supported by MUIR grant SM2378 and FiorGen Foundation (to A.G.), the Swiss National Science Foundation grants 3100A0-102150/1 and 3100A0-113733/1 (to B.H.), the Swiss National Science Foundation grant 32-068034.02 (to M.-L.B.P.), the National Institutes of Health grants HL28737, HL31963, HL52285, and HL77297S and an award from the Sandler Program in Asthma Research (to H.P.), and the National Institutes of Health grants HL74024 and HL67967 (to V.J.T.).

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