Powell D W, Mifflin R C, Valentich J D, Crowe S E, Saada J I, West A B
University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Departments of Internal Medicine, Physiology, and Biophysics and Pathology, Galveston, Texas 77555, USA.
Am J Physiol. 1999 Jul;277(1):C1-9. doi: 10.1152/ajpcell.1999.277.1.C1.
Myofibroblasts are a unique group of smooth-muscle-like fibroblasts that have a similar appearance and function regardless of their tissue of residence. Through the secretion of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, both lipid and gaseous inflammatory mediators, as well as extracellular matrix proteins and proteases, they play an important role in organogenesis and oncogenesis, inflammation, repair, and fibrosis in most organs and tissues. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and stem cell factor are two secreted proteins responsible for differentiating myofibroblasts from embryological stem cells. These and other growth factors cause proliferation of myofibroblasts, and myofibroblast secretion of extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules and various cytokines and growth factors causes mobility, proliferation, and differentiation of epithelial or parenchymal cells. Repeated cycles of injury and repair lead to organ or tissue fibrosis through secretion of ECM by the myofibroblasts. Transforming growth factor-beta and the PDGF family of growth factors are the key factors in the fibrotic response. Because of their ubiquitous presence in all tissues, myofibroblasts play important roles in various organ diseases and perhaps in multisystem diseases as well.
肌成纤维细胞是一类独特的、类似平滑肌的成纤维细胞，无论其所在组织如何，都具有相似的外观和功能。通过分泌炎性和抗炎细胞因子、趋化因子、生长因子、脂质和气体炎性介质，以及细胞外基质蛋白和蛋白酶，它们在大多数器官和组织的器官发生、肿瘤发生、炎症、修复和纤维化过程中发挥重要作用。血小板衍生生长因子（PDGF）和干细胞因子是两种负责将胚胎干细胞分化为肌成纤维细胞的分泌蛋白。这些生长因子和其他生长因子会导致肌成纤维细胞增殖，而肌成纤维细胞分泌的细胞外基质（ECM）分子以及各种细胞因子和生长因子会引起上皮或实质细胞的迁移、增殖和分化。反复的损伤和修复循环会通过肌成纤维细胞分泌ECM导致器官或组织纤维化。转化生长因子-β和PDGF家族生长因子是纤维化反应的关键因素。由于肌成纤维细胞在所有组织中普遍存在，它们在各种器官疾病中发挥重要作用，可能在多系统疾病中也发挥重要作用。
