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myofibroblasts

Myofibroblasts are a type of cell that plays a crucial role in the process of wound healing and fibrosis. They are a hybrid cell, possessing characteristics of both fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells. Myofibroblasts were first identified in the 1970s by Gabbiani and colleagues, who noticed their presence in granulation tissue after tissue injury.

Myofibroblasts are differentiated from fibroblasts by the presence of alpha-smooth muscle actin and other smooth muscle-like

Myofibroblasts are key players in the wound healing process, as they help to close wounds by contracting

The role of myofibroblasts has been the subject of extensive study in recent years, and a body

proteins.
They
have
been
found
to
express
genes
and
proteins
involved
in
cell
contraction
and
motility,
which
enables
them
to
contract
and
organize
the
extracellular
matrix.
This
characteristic
is
important
in
tissue
repair
and
the
formation
of
scars.
the
extracellular
matrix.
They
are
also
involved
in
the
pathogenesis
of
various
fibrotic
diseases,
such
as
liver
cirrhosis
and
systemic
scleroderma.
In
these
conditions,
myofibroblasts
accumulate
and
contribute
to
the
excessive
deposition
of
extracellular
matrix,
leading
to
tissue
scarring
and
dysfunction.
of
evidence
suggests
that
they
may
also
be
involved
in
cancer
progression
and
chronic
inflammation.
Further
research
is
needed
to
fully
understand
the
function
and
regulation
of
myofibroblasts
in
different
tissues
and
disease
states.
However,
their
involvement
in
wound
healing
and
fibrosis
is
well
established,
and
they
remain
an
important
area
of
investigation
in
the
fields
of
tissue
engineering
and
regenerative
medicine.