Cited by 182Cellular Mechanics and InteractionsWound Healing and TreatmentsTGF-β signaling in diseases

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Mechanical regulation of myofibroblast phenoconversion and collagen contraction

Hinz, Boris, McCulloch, Christopher A., Coelho, Nuno M.·2019·Experimental Cell Research

DOI 10.1016/j.yexcr.2019.03.027

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Abstract

Activated fibroblasts promote physiological wound repair following tissue injury. However, dysregulation of fibroblast activation contributes to the development of fibrosis by enhanced production and contraction of collagen-rich extracellular matrix. At the peak of their activities, fibroblasts undergo phenotypic conversion into highly contractile myofibroblasts by developing muscle-like features, including formation of contractile actin-myosin bundles. The phenotype and function of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts are mechanically regulated by matrix stiffness using a feedback control system that is integrated with the progress of tissue remodelling. The actomyosin contraction machinery and cell-matrix adhesion receptors are critical elements that are needed for mechanosensing by fibroblasts and the translation of mechanical signals into biological responses. Here, we focus on mechanical and chemical regulation of collagen contraction by fibroblasts and the involvement of these factors in their phenotypic conversion to myofibroblasts.

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Authors: Hinz, B., McCulloch, C. A., & Coelho, N. M.
Affiliations: University of Toronto (CA)
Corresponding author: Coelho, Nuno M.
ORCID: Hinz, Boris
McCulloch, Christopher A.
Coelho, Nuno M.
Venue: Experimental Cell Research
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Published: 2019-06
Volume: 379
Issue: 1
Pages: 119-128
ISSN: 0014-4827 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2019.03.027
OpenAlex: W2934133090
Semantic Scholar: 6f2d57f6aad8ed5a88713504974535d1eb19f620
Cited by: 182
References: 211
Citations by year: 2026: 23 · 2025: 19 · 2024: 28 · 2023: 27 · 2022: 20 · 2021: 38 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 13
FWCI: 2.47
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
www.elsevier.com/legal/tdmrep-license (tdm)
Locations: Experimental Cell Research (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders: Canadian Institutes of Health Research CIHR (#375597)
Canada Foundation for Innovation and Ontario Research Fund (#36050)
E-Rare Joint Transnational Program ‘Development of Innovative Therapeutic Approaches for Rare Diseases’ (# ERL-138395)
CMC is supported by a CIHR Operating grant (MOP416228)
Canada Research Chair in Matrix Dynamics
Topics: Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Cellular Mechanics and Interactions
Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Wound Healing and Treatments
Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › TGF-β signaling in diseases
Keywords: collagen contraction, fibroblast activation, extracellular matrix stiffness, mechanotransduction, actomyosin contractility, fibrosis, tissue remodeling, wound healing
MeSH terms: Animals, Collagen, Extracellular Matrix, Fibrosis, Humans, Phenotype, Wound Healing, Myofibroblasts

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Mechanical regulation of myofibroblast phenoconversion and collagen contraction

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