Cancer microenvironment is critical for tumorigenesis and cancer progression. The
extracellular matrix (ECM) interacts with tumor and stromal cells to promote cancer cells …

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive, lethal fibrotic lung disease that occurs
primarily in middle-aged and elderly adults. It is a major cause of morbidity and mortality …

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive scarring disease arising from impaired
regeneration of the alveolar epithelium after injury. During regeneration, type 2 alveolar …

Myofibroblasts are the construction workers of wound healing and repair damaged tissues
by producing and organizing collagen/extracellular matrix (ECM) into scar tissue. Scar tissue …

Cardiac fibrosis is mediated by the activation of resident cardiac fibroblasts, which
differentiate into myofibroblasts in response to injury or stress. Although myofibroblast …

The ECM (extracellular matrix) network plays a crucial role in cardiac homeostasis, not only
by providing structural support, but also by facilitating force transmission, and by transducing …

Organ fibrosis is a lethal outcome of autoimmune rheumatic diseases such as systemic
sclerosis. Myofibroblasts are scar-forming cells that are ultimately responsible for the …

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a prototype of chronic, progressive, and fibrotic lung disease.
Healthy tissue is replaced by altered extracellular matrix and alveolar architecture is …

Myofibroblasts are contractile, α-smooth muscle actin-positive cells with multiple roles in
pathophysiological processes. Myofibroblasts mediate wound contractions, but their …

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) is the most potent pro-fibrogenic cytokine and its
expression is increased in almost all of fibrotic diseases. Although signaling through Smad …