Fibroblasts are one of the most common but neglected stromal cells in tissue. They exert specific functions in tissue microenvironments during tissue development and regeneration. The primary function of fibroblasts is to maintain the structural integrity of the connective tissues, through secreting extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins such as collagens. They are traditionally recognized as quiescent cells responsible for ECM production, however, more and more evidence appreciated fibroblasts as key modulators of immune cells. They can secrete cytokines, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). Also, fibroblasts could modulate immune cell functions in cell contact-dependent manners. The immunomodulatory role of fibroblast to immune cells is essential to maintain tissue local immune homeostasis in various tissues, healthy, inflamed, fibrotic, or tumors.
The detailed mechanisms of the impacts of fibroblast on immune cells in immunopathology remain to be fully elucidated. This research topic aims to provide a comprehensive overview of fibroblasts’ role in modulating immune cell functions in tissue immunopathology, such as inflammation, fibrosis, autoimmune disease, tumors, and other immune disorders, with particular emphasis on the cellular and molecular mechanisms driving tissue immuno-pathogenesis.
In this Research Topic, we welcome Original Research, Review, and Mini-Review articles covering, but not limited to, the following sub-topics:
• Fibroblast characteristics and function in diseases
• Fibroblast subsets and roles in tissue inflammatory disorders
• Tissue fibroblast interactions with immune cells in diseases
• Immunomodulatory effects of fibroblast on immune cells in tissue immunopathology
• Novel immune signaling mediates immune cell and fibroblast interaction.
Fibroblasts are one of the most common but neglected stromal cells in tissue. They exert specific functions in tissue microenvironments during tissue development and regeneration. The primary function of fibroblasts is to maintain the structural integrity of the connective tissues, through secreting extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins such as collagens. They are traditionally recognized as quiescent cells responsible for ECM production, however, more and more evidence appreciated fibroblasts as key modulators of immune cells. They can secrete cytokines, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). Also, fibroblasts could modulate immune cell functions in cell contact-dependent manners. The immunomodulatory role of fibroblast to immune cells is essential to maintain tissue local immune homeostasis in various tissues, healthy, inflamed, fibrotic, or tumors.
The detailed mechanisms of the impacts of fibroblast on immune cells in immunopathology remain to be fully elucidated. This research topic aims to provide a comprehensive overview of fibroblasts’ role in modulating immune cell functions in tissue immunopathology, such as inflammation, fibrosis, autoimmune disease, tumors, and other immune disorders, with particular emphasis on the cellular and molecular mechanisms driving tissue immuno-pathogenesis.
In this Research Topic, we welcome Original Research, Review, and Mini-Review articles covering, but not limited to, the following sub-topics:
• Fibroblast characteristics and function in diseases
• Fibroblast subsets and roles in tissue inflammatory disorders
• Tissue fibroblast interactions with immune cells in diseases
• Immunomodulatory effects of fibroblast on immune cells in tissue immunopathology
• Novel immune signaling mediates immune cell and fibroblast interaction.