title: Circulating fibrocytes: cellular basis for NSF.
abstract: Since the discovery of the circulating fibrocyte as a collagen-producing cell of the peripheral blood, the physiologic and pathologic role of this unique cell population has grown steadily. The present review summarizes the known biology of fibrocytes and discusses evidence for their role in the pathogenesis of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. Possible mechanisms by which gadolinium may influence the activation or trafficking properties of fibrocytes leading to tissue fibrosis are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8031, USA. richard.bucala@yale.edu
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bucala
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000473:pathology*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000502:physiology*; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology; D005682:Gadolinium / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000150:complications; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D005682:Gadolinium