The Bright Side of Fibroblasts: Molecular Signature and Regenerative Cues in Major Organs
August 2021
in “
npj Regenerative Medicine
”
TLDR Fibroblasts, cells usually linked to tissue repair, also help regenerate various organs and their ability decreases with age. Turning adult fibroblasts back to a younger state could be a new treatment approach.
The review article discusses the pro-regenerative role of fibroblasts in various organs, including skin, liver, lung, kidney, and heart. Fibroblasts, traditionally associated with tissue repair, are now recognized for maintaining stem cell niches and guiding the regenerative process through the secretion of molecules that promote cell adhesion, migration, and proliferation. The authors suggest a new therapeutic approach based on reverting adult fibroblasts to a fetal/neonatal-like phenotype. The document also highlights the decrease in fibroblasts' regenerative capacity with aging. In the context of hair follicle renewal, the stimulation of fibroblast-mediated Wnt or Shh signaling may be a promising strategy. The document concludes that further studies are needed to identify cellular subpopulations that contribute mostly to regeneration instead of repair.
