Wound Healing Myofibroblasts Proliferate Clonally and in a Mechanoresponsive Manner

摘要

INTRODUCTION: Fibroblasts are integral in regulating tissue homeostasis. Notably, activated fibroblasts (myofibroblasts) play critical roles in wound healing including producing and depositing extracellular matrix and driving wound closure. Much research has been aimed at characterizing subpopulations of fibroblasts with specific activities in wound healing; however, information regarding the origins and heterogeneity of myofibroblasts remains incompletely explored. Our lab has previously shown that fibroblast activity in wound healing is dependent on tissue mechanics (specifically focal-adhesion kinase signaling). The aim of our research was to determine the origins of myofibroblasts that respond to dermal injury and to understand their proliferation, mechanoresponsiveness, and heterogeneity.