title: Mesenchymal cell proliferation and programmed cell death: key players in fibrogenesis and new targets for therapeutic intervention.
abstract: An exquisite equilibrium between cell proliferation and programmed cell death is required to maintain physiological homeostasis. In inflammatory bowel disease, and especially in Crohn's disease, enhanced proliferation along with defective apoptosis of immune cells are considered key elements of pathogenesis. Despite the relatively limited attention that has been given to research efforts devoted to intestinal fibrosis to date, there is evidence suggesting that enhanced proliferation along with defective programmed cell death of mesenchymal cells can significantly contribute to the development of excessive fibrogenesis in many different tissues. Moreover, some therapies have demonstrated potential antifibrogenic efficacy through the regulation of mesenchymal cell proliferation and programmed cell death. Further understanding of the pathways involved in the regulation of mesenchymal cell proliferation and apoptosis is, however, required.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Gastroenterology, Hospital Clínic i Provincial/IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Jeroni
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Luna
authors.forename: Maria Carme
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Masamunt
authors.forename: Ian Craig
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Lawrance
authors.forename: Miquel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sans
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000473:pathology; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology*