title: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition: An emerging target in tissue fibrosis.
abstract: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is involved in a variety of tissue fibroses. Fibroblasts/myofibroblasts derived from epithelial cells contribute to the excessive accumulation of fibrous connective tissue in damaged tissue, which can lead to permanent scarring or organ malfunction. Therefore, EMT-related fibrosis cannot be neglected. This review highlights the findings that demonstrate the EMT to be a direct contributor to the fibroblast/myofibroblast population in the development of tissue fibrosis and helps to elucidate EMT-related anti-fibrotic strategies, which may enable the development of therapeutic interventions to suppress EMT and potentially reverse organ fibrosis.
authors.affiliation: Wound Healing and Cell Biology Laboratory, Institute of Basic Medical Science, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, P. R. China Trauma Treatment Center, Central Laboratory, Chinese PLA General Hospital Hainan Branch, Sanya 572014, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Meirong
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Trauma Treatment Center, Central Laboratory, Chinese PLA General Hospital Hainan Branch, Sanya 572014, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Fuxin
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Luan
authors.affiliation: Wound Healing and Cell Biology Laboratory, Institute of Basic Medical Science, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, P. R. China Trauma Treatment Center, Central Laboratory, Chinese PLA General Hospital Hainan Branch, Sanya 572014, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Yali
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Wound Healing and Cell Biology Laboratory, Institute of Basic Medical Science, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Haojie
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hao
authors.affiliation: Wound Healing and Cell Biology Laboratory, Institute of Basic Medical Science, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Wound Healing and Cell Biology Laboratory, Institute of Basic Medical Science, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Weidong
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Wound Healing and Cell Biology Laboratory, Institute of Basic Medical Science, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, P. R. China fuxiaobing@vip.sina.com hanwdrsw69@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Xiaobing
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Fu
mesh_terms: D058750:Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans
keywords: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition; TGF-β; anti-fibrosis; dedifferentiation; fibroblast; mesenchymal stem cell; myofibroblast; tissue fibrosis