Fibrosis

Abstract

Fibrosis is the replacement of tissue parenchyma with a collagen-rich extracellular matrix (ECM). Fibrosis can occur in any chronically diseased tissue, contributing to pathological processes of several chronic inflammatory conditions including chronic kidney disease, cirrhosis and pulmonary fibrosis. Spindle-shaped, contractile and ECM expressing myofibroblasts are the primary cellular source of fibrosis. They predominantly originate from tissue resident fibroblasts and pericytes. Following the removal of injury, myofibroblasts can undergo apoptosis and senescence, or revert into a quiescent phenotype. ECM remodeling is regulated by wide range of factors including genetic variants, epigenetic drivers, immune system, growth factors, nuclear receptors and cytokines.