Fibroinflammatory

Fibroinflammatory is an adjective used in medicine to describe tissue or disease processes that involve both fibrosis and inflammation. Fibrosis refers to the excessive deposition of connective tissue, while inflammation involves immune cell infiltrates and inflammatory mediators. When these processes occur together, they produce a sustained remodeling of tissue architecture that can impair function.

Pathophysiology: In fibroinflammatory conditions, inflammatory cells release cytokines such as transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and interleukins that activate fibroblasts and promote extracellular matrix production. Myofibroblasts then synthesize collagen and other matrix proteins, leading to scarring. The inflammatory component can perpetuate fibrosis, while the fibrotic tissue may itself contribute to ongoing injury, creating a feedback loop.

Clinical context: The label is used across organ systems to describe cases where inflammation and fibrosis are prominent. A well-recognized example is IgG4-related disease, in which tissues show lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates with storiform fibrosis and often elevated IgG4-positive plasma cells. Other chronic inflammatory and fibrosing conditions of the pancreas, biliary tract, lungs, kidneys, and retroperitoneum may also be described as fibroinflammatory to reflect their dual nature.

Diagnosis and management: Evaluation relies on tissue biopsy and imaging to characterize both inflammatory and fibrotic components. Treatment aims to control the inflammatory process and, when possible, slow or reverse fibrosis; regimens may include corticosteroids and other immunosuppressants, with antifibrotic therapies under investigation in several diseases.