Cultured myofibroblasts display a specific phenotype that differentiates them from fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells.
BACKGROUND
Myofibroblasts (MF) from human granulation tissue derive from perilesional cells and display similarities with fibroblasts (DF) and smooth muscle cells (SMC).


OBJECTIVE
Determine additional markers to assess the phenotype of MF.


METHODS
MF, DF and SMC derived from human tissues were amplified in culture. Their phenotype and response to various regulatory processes were compared in vitro.


RESULTS
MF resemble SMC by their mechanical properties and cytoskeletal proteins. They resemble DF by their biosynthetic phenotype and their response to the regulation operated by the extracellular matrix and mechanical forces.


CONCLUSIONS
In vitro MF display a phenotype that differentiates them from DF and SMC.
Lefebvre
P
P
Laboratory of Connective Tissues Biology, CHU Sart Tilman, Belgium.
Nusgens
B V
BV
Lapière
C M
CM
D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D006097:Granulation Tissue / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D010641:Phenotype; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis
D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D003094:Collagen