Fibroblast apoptosis

Fibroblast apoptosis is a critical biological process involving the programmed cell death of fibroblast cells, which is essential for the resolution of normal wound healing and the prevention of excessive tissue scarring (PMID: 24041640). In healthy tissue repair, fibroblasts proliferate and produce extracellular matrix (ECM) but are eventually cleared via apoptosis once the wound is closed; however, in chronic fibrotic diseases like idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and systemic sclerosis, these cells become resistant to apoptosis (PMID: 31362758). This resistance leads to the persistence of activated myofibroblasts, resulting in continuous ECM deposition, organ stiffening, and functional failure. Therapeutic interventions often aim to restore or induce apoptosis in these pathologically activated cells by targeting anti-apoptotic proteins like BCL-2 or inhibiting pro-survival signaling pathways such as TGF-beta and PI3K/Akt (PMID: 28834927). While drugs like Nintedanib and Pirfenidone are used to manage fibrosis, newer strategies specifically look to sensitize fibroblasts to apoptotic triggers to potentially reverse established tissue damage (PMID: 25184131).

Other names

Programmed cell death of fibroblastsMyofibroblast apoptosisFibroblast programmed cell death

Induction of programmed cell death in pathologically activated fibroblasts or myofibroblasts to resolve excessive extracellular matrix production and promote the regression of fibrotic tissue.