You Say You Want a Resolution (of Fibrosis).

TitleYou Say You Want a Resolution (of Fibrosis).
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2020
AuthorsAtabai K, Yang CD, Podolsky MJ
JournalAm J Respir Cell Mol Biol
Volume63
Issue4
Pagination424-435
Date Published2020 10
ISSN1535-4989
KeywordsAnimals, Extracellular Matrix, Fibroblasts, Fibrosis, Homeostasis, Humans, Myofibroblasts
Abstract

In pathological fibrosis, aberrant tissue remodeling with excess extracellular matrix leads to organ dysfunction and eventual morbidity. Diseases of fibrosis create significant global health and economic burdens and are often deadly. Although fibrosis has traditionally been thought of as an irreversible process, a growing body of evidence demonstrates that organ fibrosis can reverse in certain circumstances, especially if an underlying cause of injury can be removed. This body of evidence has uncovered more and more contributors to persistent and nonresolving tissue fibrosis. Here, we review the present knowledge on resolution of organ fibrosis and restoration of near-normal tissue architecture. We emphasize three critical areas of tissue homeostasis that are necessary for fibrosis resolution, namely, the elimination of matrix-producing cells, the clearance of excess matrix, and the regeneration of normal tissue constituents. In so doing, we also highlight how profibrotic pathways interact with one another and where there may be therapeutic opportunities to intervene and remediate pathological persistent fibrosis.

DOI10.1165/rcmb.2020-0182TR
Alternate JournalAm J Respir Cell Mol Biol
PubMed ID32640171
PubMed Central IDPMC7528922
Grant ListR01 HL104009 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
R01 HL136377 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States