PURPOSE To investigate the expression and function of toll-like receptor (TLR)-3 and -9 in corneal myofibroblasts. METHODS Two types of human keratocytes were used, which were freshly isolated keratocytes from donor corneas and cultured keratocytes. Expression of the mRNAs for various molecular markers was analyzed in these cells by RT-PCR, and TLR-2, -3, -4, and -9 mRNAs were also analyzed b...

HYPOTHESIS Fibroblasts, not myofibroblasts, are responsible for wound contraction. Only myofibroblasts express a smooth muscle actin for which vanadate blocks its expression. Wound contraction in vanadate-treated rats will proceed normally in the absence of myofibroblasts. DESIGN Laboratory study using rats. METHODS Wound healing in rats receiving vanadate parenterally, an inhibitor of tyro...

AIM To explore this hypothesis that smooth muscle cells may be capable of acquiring a myofibroblastic phenotype, we have studied the expression of smoothelin in fibrotic conditions. METHODS Normal liver tissue (n = 3) was obtained from macroscopically normal parts of hepatectomy, taken at a distance from hemangiomas. Pathological specimens included post-burn cutaneous hypertrophic scars (n = ...

The aim of the present study was to elucidate how transforming growth factor-beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)) can stimulate collagen deposition in cardiac tissue by interstitial cells via stimulation of fibroblasts, via myofibroblasts, or via differentiation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts. The dose- and time-dependent stimulation of collagen production and of expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alp...

BACKGROUND Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a necroinflammatory process resulting in extensive pancreatic fibrosis. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), a hematopoietic stem cell mobilizer, has been shown to exert an anti-fibrotic effect partly through the enrichment of bone marrow (BM) cells in fibrotic organ. We aimed to test the effect of G-CSF on fibrosis in a mouse model of CP. MET...

chicken chemokine can help heal wounds by inducing fibroblasts to become myofibroblasts, according to results reported by Feugate et al. on page 161. The contractile myofibroblasts help close the wound by pulling together the necessary cells and matrix. Chemokines are better known for their activities in the immune system, but increased production of chicken chemotactic and angiogenic factor (c...

AIM To investigate an extent of smooth muscle differentiation of pericryptal fibroblasts. METHODS Expression of high molecular weight caldesmon (h-CD) and alpha smooth muscle actin was investigated in 123 invasive colorectal adenocarcinomas and their surrounding non-neoplastic tissues. RESULTS The monoclonal antibody to h-CD, which showed predominantly positive immunostaining in well differ...

Aim—To investigate an extent of smooth muscle diVerentiation of pericryptal fibroblasts. Methods—Expression of high molecular weight caldesmon (h-CD) and á smooth muscle actin was investigated in 123 invasive colorectal adenocarcinomas and their surrounding non-neoplastic tissues. Results—The monoclonal antibody to h-CD, which showed predominantly positive immunostaining in well diVerentiated s...

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) typically develops in cirrhosis, a condition characterized by Hedgehog (Hh) pathway activation and accumulation of Hh-responsive myofibroblasts. Although Hh signaling generally regulates stromal-epithelial interactions that support epithelial viability, the role of Hh-dependent myofibroblasts in hepatocarcinogenesis is unknown. Here, we used human HCC samples, a m...

RESULTS: In vivo, Fmod mouse wounds representing a lost-of-function model presented markedly increased myofibroblasts after wound closure compared with wild-type (WT) controls. Intradermal injection of FMOD representing gain-of-function models led to significantly decreased myofibroblast accumulation in the wound areas of multiple animal species, including WT mice and Fmod mice, rats and pigs w...