title: Fibroblast-Extracellular Matrix Interactions in Tissue Fibrosis.
abstract: Activated myofibroblasts are key effector cells in tissue fibrosis. Emerging evidence suggests that myofibroblasts infiltrating fibrotic tissues originate predominantly from local mesenchyme-derived populations. Alterations in the extracellular matrix network play an important role in modulating fibroblast phenotype and function. In a pro-inflammatory environment, generation of matrix fragments may induce a matrix-degrading fibroblast phenotype. Deposition of ED-A fibronectin plays an important role in myofibroblast transdifferentiation. In fibrotic tissues, the matrix is enriched with matricellular macromolecules that regulate growth factor-mediated responses and modulate protease activation. This manuscript discusses emerging concepts on the role of the extracellular matrix in regulation of fibroblast behavior.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine (Cardiology), The Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue Forchheimer G46B, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
authors.forename: Nikolaos G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Frangogiannis
keywords: Extracellular matrix; Fibroblast; Matricellular protein; Myofibroblast; Pericyte; Thrombospondin