Fibroblasts: Origins, Definitions, and Functions in Health and Disease

The document reviewed the origins, definitions, and functions of fibroblasts in health and disease, emphasizing their critical roles in tissue repair, fibrosis, and inflammatory responses. It discussed various signaling pathways, such as PDGF, TGF-beta, and BMP, that regulate fibroblast activity and differentiation. The review also highlighted the interactions between fibroblasts and other cell types, including inflammatory cells and adipocytes, and their contributions to conditions like skin fibrosis, lung fibrosis, and myocardial inflammation. Understanding fibroblast heterogeneity and the molecular mechanisms underlying their functions was emphasized as crucial for developing targeted therapies for fibrotic diseases.