TLDR Different types of fibroblasts play various roles in both healthy and diseased tissues, and understanding them better could improve treatments for fibrotic diseases.
The document reviews the diversity of fibroblasts across different organs and their roles in both healthy and fibrotic tissues. It explains that fibroblasts are a major cell type in connective tissues, involved in extracellular matrix deposition and maintenance, and that their heterogeneity is influenced by tissue status, regional features, microenvironment, and cell state. Advances in single-cell RNA sequencing have uncovered various fibroblast populations with unique gene expressions and functions, although their specific contributions to fibrosis are not fully understood. The review suggests that targeting particular fibroblast subsets could offer therapeutic advantages for fibrotic diseases. It also notes the need for further research on the functional significance of fibroblast diversity, the manipulation of fibroblast types in vivo, and the application of animal model findings to human diseases. The document does not involve studies with human or animal subjects and was supported by the EMBO Advanced Fellowship program.
301 citations,
February 2019 in “Nature Communications” The research found that different types of fibroblasts are involved in wound healing and that some blood cells can turn into fat cells during this process.
145 citations,
November 2018 in “Nature Communications” The Sonic hedgehog pathway is crucial for new hair growth during mouse skin healing.
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May 2018 in “Trends in cell biology” Different types of skin cells play specific roles in development, healing, and cancer.
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April 2018 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” Two main types of fibroblasts with unique functions and additional subtypes were identified in human skin.
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December 2017 in “Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews-Developmental Biology” Skin cells called dermal fibroblasts are important for skin growth, hair growth, and wound healing.
408 citations,
January 2017 in “Science” Some wound-healing cells can turn into fat cells around new hair growth in mice.
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January 2016 in “Development” Blocking β-catenin in skin cells improves hair growth during wound healing.
32 citations,
August 2015 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” Prominin-1 expressing cells in the dermal papilla help regulate hair follicle size and communication but don't aid in skin repair.
35 citations,
August 2021 in “npj Regenerative Medicine” 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.
488 citations,
July 2021 in “Cell” Fibroblasts are crucial for tissue repair and inflammation, and understanding them can help treat fibrotic diseases.
1 citations,
August 2023 in “The Journal of Pathology” Different types of skin fibroblasts have unique roles in skin health and disease.
1160 citations,
November 2018 in “Physiological Reviews” The document concludes that better targeted treatments are needed for wound healing, and single-cell technologies may improve cell-based therapies.
6 citations,
November 2022 in “Development” New research shows that skin diversity is influenced by different types of dermal fibroblasts and their development, especially involving the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.
