Myofibroblast Distribution
Myofibroblast Distribution - Related Videos
06:59
Isolation of Primary Myofibroblasts from Mouse and Human Colon Tissue
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Cited by 43 •
2013
The myofibroblast is an influential stromal cell of the gastrointestinal tract that regulates important physiologic processes in both normal and disease states. We describe a technique that allows for the isolation of primary myofibroblasts from both mouse and human colon tissue, which can be utilized for in vitro experimentation.
06:02
Isolation of CD 90+ Fibroblast/Myofibroblasts from Human Frozen Gastrointestinal Specimens
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Cited by 17 •
2016
Here, a protocol to isolate and establish primary fibroblast/myofibroblast (MF) cultures from frozen gastric, small intestinal, and colonic tissue-yielding cells with a MF phenotype-is presented. These cells express CD90, α-SMA and vimentin. MFs can be used for a variety of functional assays including enzymatic activity and cytokine production.
08:59
Human Dupuytren's Ex Vivo Culture for the Study of Myofibroblasts and Extracellular Matrix Interactions
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Cited by 3 •
2015
Dupuytren’s disease (DD) is a fibroproliferative disease of the palm of the hand. Here, we present a protocol to culture resection specimens from DD in a three-dimensional (3D) culture system. Such short-term culture system allows preservation of the 3D structure and molecular properties of the fibrotic tissue.
11:18
Isolation of Myofibroblasts from Mouse and Human Esophagus
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Cited by 9 •
2015
We present a protocol to generate primary cultures of murine and human esophageal stromal cells with a myofibroblast phenotype. Cultured cells have spindle shaped morphology, express α-SMA and vimentin, and lack epithelial, hematopoietic and endothelial cell surface markers. Characterized stromal cells can be used in functional studies of epithelial-stromal interactions.
10:45
Isolation and Characterization of Adult Cardiac Fibroblasts and Myofibroblasts
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Cited by 20 •
2020
Obtaining a pure population of fibroblasts is crucial to studying their role in wound repair and fibrosis. Described here is a detailed method to isolate fibroblasts and myofibroblasts from uninjured and injured mouse hearts followed by characterization of their purity and functionality by immunofluorescence, RTPCR, fluorescence-assisted cell sorting, and collagen gel contraction.
FAQs
Transforming growth factor beta can activate fibroblasts, encouraging their transition toward a myofibroblast state. The resulting cells develop alpha-smooth muscle actin-rich contractile structures and produce and organize extracellular matrix. Their presence may therefore increase in regions receiving stronger activating signals, making spatial patterns useful for examining how local tissue environments shape repair, remodeling, or fibrotic change.
Alpha-smooth muscle actin-rich contractile structures indicate that activated fibroblast-like cells have acquired a contractile phenotype. In distribution studies, their localization helps identify tissue regions containing cells capable of contributing to wound contraction and matrix remodeling. The abundance and spatial arrangement of these cells can then be considered alongside whether the tissue is repairing normally or developing excessive scarring.
Local cellular environments influence where activated cells accumulate and how strongly they participate in tissue remodeling. Areas exposed to activating signals may show greater myofibroblast presence, while differences between tissue regions can reflect distinct repair or disease processes. Examining these spatial relationships helps connect cellular distribution with wound contraction, extracellular-matrix organization, and progression toward fibrosis.
Assessment centers on mapping the spatial presence and abundance of myofibroblasts across tissue regions and pathological sites. Histological evaluation can compare where these cells occur, how numerous they are, and whether they are associated with contractile structures or matrix organization. This spatial information supports interpretation of tissue remodeling and helps distinguish ordinary repair from excessive scarring.
A distribution pattern that corresponds to a localized repair response may support interpretation of normal wound healing, whereas broader or excessive accumulation can indicate abnormal scarring and fibrosis. The assessment does not rely only on cell number; spatial location and association with matrix production, organization, and contraction also matter when evaluating disease-related remodeling.
Myofibroblast distribution is relevant to histological assessment of diseases affecting the liver, lung, heart, and kidney. Mapping can reveal how these cells are positioned within pathological sites and whether their activity aligns with tissue remodeling or fibrotic progression. In medicine, this provides cellular context for comparing organ-specific injury responses and interpreting changes in diseased tissue.