McAnulty Robin J
Centre for Respiratory Research, University College London, Rayne Building, 5 University Street, London, WC1E 6JJ, United Kingdom.
Int J Biochem Cell Biol. 2007;39(4):666-71. doi: 10.1016/j.biocel.2006.11.005. Epub 2006 Nov 23.
Fibroblasts are found in most tissues of the body. They exhibit several phenotypes including non-contractile fibroblasts, contractile myofibroblasts, and intermediate phenotypes including the protomyofibroblast. Fibroblasts are metabolically active cells which play critical roles regulating extracellular matrices, interstitial fluid volume and pressure, and wound healing. Fibroblast numbers can be maintained or expanded by proliferation of resident populations but in addition, recent evidence indicates they can also be derived through epithelial-mesenchymal transition or from circulating and tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Many diseases are associated with dysregulation of the injury repair response and fibroblast function, leading to increased or decreased deposition of extracellular matrix proteins, altered tissue architecture, impaired function and in some cases significant morbidity and mortality. There are currently no specific therapies that target fibroblast-associated pathology but increasing knowledge of pathological mechanisms has led to development of new agents providing hope for improved treatment of these diseases.
成纤维细胞存在于身体的大多数组织中。它们表现出几种表型，包括非收缩性成纤维细胞、收缩性肌成纤维细胞以及包括原肌成纤维细胞在内的中间表型。成纤维细胞是代谢活跃的细胞，在调节细胞外基质、组织液体积和压力以及伤口愈合方面发挥着关键作用。成纤维细胞数量可以通过驻留群体的增殖得以维持或增加，但此外，最近的证据表明它们也可以通过上皮-间质转化或源自循环和组织来源的间充质干细胞产生。许多疾病与损伤修复反应和成纤维细胞功能失调有关，导致细胞外基质蛋白沉积增加或减少、组织结构改变、功能受损，在某些情况下还会导致严重的发病率和死亡率。目前尚无针对成纤维细胞相关病理的特异性疗法，但对病理机制的了解不断增加，已促使开发出新的药物，为改善这些疾病的治疗带来了希望。
