Myofibroblasts: function, formation, and scope of molecular therapies for skin fibrosis

Tai, Yifan, Woods, Emma L., Dally, Jordanna, Kong, Deling, Steadman, Robert ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1303-2496, Moseley, Ryan ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2812-6735 and Midgley, Adam C. 2021. Myofibroblasts: function, formation, and scope of molecular therapies for skin fibrosis. Biomolecules 11 (8) , 1095. 10.3390/biom11081095

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Abstract

Myofibroblasts are contractile, α-smooth muscle actin-positive cells with multiple roles in pathophysiological processes. Myofibroblasts mediate wound contractions, but their persistent presence in tissues is central to driving fibrosis, making them attractive cell targets for the development of therapeutic treatments. However, due to shared cellular markers with several other phenotypes, the specific targeting of myofibroblasts has long presented a scientific and clinical challenge. In recent years, myofibroblasts have drawn much attention among scientific research communities from multiple disciplines and specialisations. As further research uncovers the characterisations of myofibroblast formation, function, and regulation, the realisation of novel interventional routes for myofibroblasts within pathologies has emerged. The research community is approaching the means to finally target these cells, to prevent fibrosis, accelerate scarless wound healing, and attenuate associated disease-processes in clinical settings. This comprehensive review article describes the myofibroblast cell phenotype, their origins, and their diverse physiological and pathological functionality. Special attention has been given to mechanisms and molecular pathways governing myofibroblast differentiation, and updates in molecular interventions.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Dentistry Medicine
Additional Information:	This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited
Publisher:	MDPI
ISSN:	2218-273X
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	26 July 2021
Date of Acceptance:	20 July 2021
Last Modified:	03 May 2023 21:44
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/142876

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