Transforming growth factor-beta1 is a potent mediator of the differentiation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts, which is characterized by the appearance of the cytoskeletal protein alpha-smooth muscle actin. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of integrin extracellular matrix receptors in transforming growth factor-beta1-induced myofibroblast differentiation. We show that blockade of the alphav and/or beta1 integrins prevents the transforming growth factor-beta1-induced myofibroblast differentiation, seen by the increased expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin and enhanced collagen gel contraction in three human fibroblast cell lines (from the mouth, skin, and kidney). Further, blockade of alphav specific integrins alphavbeta5 and alphavbeta3 suppressed myofibroblast differentiation in fibroblasts from the mouth and skin; however, in the kidney cells, the prevention of differentiation was seen only with blockade of alphavbeta5 integrin but not alphavbeta3. A possible reason for this result may be different degrees of responsiveness to transforming growth factor-beta1 treatment seen from different anatomical origins of the cell lines. These data indicate a novel role for alphav integrins in the differentiation of human fibroblasts from the mouth, skin, and kidney into myofibroblasts and suggest that there is a common differentiation pathway.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1067-1927.2004.12402.x | DOI Listing |
BMJ Case Rep
January 2025
Surgical Oncology, Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital, Sayre, Pennsylvania, USA.
A splenic inflammatory pseudotumour (IPT) is a rare condition in which inflammatory cells and non-cancerous specialised cells known as myofibroblasts abnormally replicate in the spleen. Patients with IPT may experience symptoms like abdominal pain, fever and weight loss, making it difficult to distinguish from processes like cancer. As a result, diagnosing IPT often requires imaging studies and microscopic examination.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRespir Res
January 2025
Department for Pulmonary Medicine, Allergology and Clinical Immunology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Introduction: Fibrotic cocktail (FC) is a combination of pro-fibrotic and pro-inflammatory mediators that induces early fibrotic changes in organotypic lung models. We hypothesised that transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) alone induces a pro-fibrotic effect similar to FC. Our aim was to compare the pro-fibrotic effects of TGF-β1 with FC in human precision-cut lung slices (PCLS).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFASEB J
January 2025
Stem Cell and Biotherapy Technology Research Center, School of Life Science and Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China.
Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a chronic and progressive interstitial lung disease characterized by abnormal activation of myofibroblasts and pathological remodeling of the extracellular matrix, with a poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Lung transplantation is currently the only approach that can extend the life expectancy of patients; however, its applicability is severely restricted due to donor shortages and patient-specific limitations. Therefore, the search for novel therapeutic strategies is imperative.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFChin Med J (Engl)
January 2025
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, National Clinical Research Center for Obstetric & Gynecologic Diseases, Beijing 100730, China.
Background: Fibrosis of the connective tissue in the vaginal wall predominates in pelvic organ prolapse (POP), which is characterized by excessive fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation and abnormal deposition of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Our study aimed to investigate the effect of ECM stiffness on vaginal fibroblasts and to explore the role of methyltransferase 3 (METTL3) in the development of POP.
Methods: Polyacrylamide hydrogels were applied to create an ECM microenvironment with variable stiffness to evaluate the effects of ECM stiffness on the proliferation, differentiation, and expression of ECM components in vaginal fibroblasts.
Inflamm Res
January 2025
Department of Burns and Cutaneous Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, No.127 Changle West Road, Xincheng District, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China.
Background: Hypertrophic scar (HS) is a severe skin fibrosis. Transplanting stem cells carrying anti-fibrotic cytokine genes, like interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), is a novel therapeutic strategy. Human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs) are ideal seed cells and gene vectors.
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