Involvement of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) in Autoimmune Diseases

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a complex reversible biological process characterized by the loss of epithelial features and acquisition mesenchymal features. EMT was initially described in developmental processes further associated with pathological conditions including metastatic cascade arising neoplastic progression organ fibrosis. Fibrosis delineated an excessive number myofibroblasts, resulting exuberant production extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, thereby compromising function ultimately leading to its failure. It now well acknowledged that significant myofibroblasts result from conversion cells via EMT. Over past two decades, evidence has accrued linking fibrosis many chronic autoimmune inflammatory diseases, systemic sclerosis (SSc), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), lupus erythematosus (SLE), Sjögren’s syndrome (SS), bowel diseases (IBD). In addition, states observed most can act as potent trigger EMT, development fibrotic state. present review, we aim describe current state knowledge regarding contribution pathophysiological various rheumatic conditions.