Profibrotic role of the SOX9-MMP10-ECM biosynthesis axis in the tracheal fibrosis after injury and repair.

Fibroblast activation and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition play an important role in the tracheal abnormal repair process and fibrosis. As a transcription factor, SOX9 is involved in fibroblast activation and ECM deposition. However, the mechanism of how SOX9 regulates fibrosis after tracheal injury remains unclear.

GATA6 triggers fibroblast activation and tracheal fibrosis through the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.

Tracheal fibrosis is a key abnormal repair process leading to fatal stenosis, characterized by excessive fibroblast activation and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition. GATA6, a zinc finger-containing transcription factor, is involved in fibroblast activation, while its role in tracheal fibrosis remains obscure. The present study investigated the potential role of GATA6 as a novel regulator of tracheal fibrosis.