Regulation of myofibroblast activities: Calcium pulls some strings behind the scene

• Published in: Experimental cell research Vol. 316; no. 15; pp. 2390 - 2401
• Main Authors: Follonier Castella, Lysianne, Gabbiani, Giulio, McCulloch, Christopher A., Hinz, Boris
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 10.09.2010; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Animals; Biochemistry; Calcium; Calcium Signaling - physiology; Calcium signalling; Cell Differentiation - physiology; Cellular biology; Collagen; Contraction; Cytoskeleton - metabolism; Cytoskeleton - physiology; Fibroblasts - metabolism; Fibroblasts - physiology; Fibrosis; Humans; Mechanotransduction; Models, Biological; Muscle Contraction - physiology; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle - cytology; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle - metabolism; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle - physiology; Rho kinase; Signal transduction; Stress fiber; Wound healing; α-Smooth muscle actin; AT-II; MLCK; ROCK; Wound healing; Rho kinase; MLC; FN; MLCP; SMC; [Ca 2+] i; AJ; Stress fiber; ER; ECM; Contraction; α-Smooth muscle actin; α-SMA; ET-1; TGFβ1; PDGF; TRPC; Collagen; Fibrosis; Mechanotransduction

Myofibroblast-induced remodeling of collagenous extracellular matrix is a key component of our body's strategy to rapidly and efficiently repair damaged tissues; thus myofibroblast activity is considered crucial in assuring the mechanical integrity of vital organs and tissues after injury. Typi...