1
|
D'Urso M, Kurniawan NA. Mechanical and Physical Regulation of Fibroblast-Myofibroblast Transition: From Cellular Mechanoresponse to Tissue Pathology. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:609653. [PMID: 33425874 PMCID: PMC7793682 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.609653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibroblasts are cells present throughout the human body that are primarily responsible for the production and maintenance of the extracellular matrix (ECM) within the tissues. They have the capability to modify the mechanical properties of the ECM within the tissue and transition into myofibroblasts, a cell type that is associated with the development of fibrotic tissue through an acute increase of cell density and protein deposition. This transition from fibroblast to myofibroblast-a well-known cellular hallmark of the pathological state of tissues-and the environmental stimuli that can induce this transition have received a lot of attention, for example in the contexts of asthma and cardiac fibrosis. Recent efforts in understanding how cells sense their physical environment at the micro- and nano-scales have ushered in a new appreciation that the substrates on which the cells adhere provide not only passive influence, but also active stimulus that can affect fibroblast activation. These studies suggest that mechanical interactions at the cell-substrate interface play a key role in regulating this phenotype transition by changing the mechanical and morphological properties of the cells. Here, we briefly summarize the reported chemical and physical cues regulating fibroblast phenotype. We then argue that a better understanding of how cells mechanically interact with the substrate (mechanosensing) and how this influences cell behaviors (mechanotransduction) using well-defined platforms that decouple the physical stimuli from the chemical ones can provide a powerful tool to control the balance between physiological tissue regeneration and pathological fibrotic response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mirko D'Urso
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
| | - Nicholas A. Kurniawan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Michalik M, Wójcik-Pszczoła K, Paw M, Wnuk D, Koczurkiewicz P, Sanak M, Pękala E, Madeja Z. Fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition in bronchial asthma. Cell Mol Life Sci 2018; 75:3943-3961. [PMID: 30101406 PMCID: PMC6182337 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-018-2899-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2018] [Revised: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease in which bronchial wall remodelling plays a significant role. This phenomenon is related to enhanced proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells, elevated extracellular matrix protein secretion and an increased number of myofibroblasts. Phenotypic fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition represents one of the primary mechanisms by which myofibroblasts arise in fibrotic lung tissue. Fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition requires a combination of several types of factors, the most important of which are divided into humoural and mechanical factors, as well as certain extracellular matrix proteins. Despite intensive research on the nature of this process, its underlying mechanisms during bronchial airway wall remodelling in asthma are not yet fully clarified. This review focuses on what is known about the nature of fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition in asthma. We aim to consider possible mechanisms and conditions that may play an important role in fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition but have not yet been discussed in this context. Recent studies have shown that some inherent and previously undescribed features of fibroblasts can also play a significant role in fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition. Differences observed between asthmatic and non-asthmatic bronchial fibroblasts (e.g., response to transforming growth factor β, cell shape, elasticity, and protein expression profile) may have a crucial influence on this phenomenon. An accurate understanding and recognition of all factors affecting fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition might provide an opportunity to discover efficient methods of counteracting this phenomenon.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Michalik
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Kraków, Poland.
| | - Katarzyna Wójcik-Pszczoła
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Kraków, Poland.
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Medyczna 9, 30-688, Kraków, Poland.
| | - Milena Paw
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Kraków, Poland
| | - Dawid Wnuk
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Kraków, Poland
| | - Paulina Koczurkiewicz
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Kraków, Poland
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Medyczna 9, 30-688, Kraków, Poland
| | - Marek Sanak
- Division of Molecular Biology and Clinical Genetics, Department of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Skawińska 8, 31-066, Kraków, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Pękala
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Medyczna 9, 30-688, Kraków, Poland
| | - Zbigniew Madeja
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Kraków, Poland
| |
Collapse
|