Cellular mechanotransduction, a critical regulator of numerous biological processes, is the
conversion from mechanical signals to biochemical signals regarding cell activities and …

Cells and tissues generate and are exposed to various mechanical forces that act across a
range of scales, from tissues to cells to organelles. Forces provide crucial signals to inform …

Intestinal fibrosis, which is usually the consequence of chronic inflammation, is a common
complication of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn's disease and ulcerative …

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 …

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

Tissues stiffen during aging and during the pathological progression of cancer, fibrosis, and
cardiovascular disease. Extracellular matrix stiffness is emerging as a prominent mechanical …

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 …

In the last 10 years, we have learned much about the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and
management of intestinal fibrosis in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. Just a …

The term 'fibroblast'often serves as a catch-all for a diverse array of mesenchymal cells,
including perivascular cells, stromal progenitor cells and bona fide fibroblasts. Although …

Myofibroblasts are activated in response to tissue injury with the primary task to repair lost or
damaged extracellular matrix. Enhanced collagen secretion and subsequent contraction …