The fibroblast-like nature of myofibroblasts

Abstract

The myofibroblast is found in normal tissue as well as in a wide variety of pathological processes. We have cultured myofibroblasts and dermal fibroblasts and have found that they secrete similar type-specific procollagens into the culture media. These were primarily type I and III procollagens with a predominance of type I procollagen. These patterns are distinctly different from those of smooth muscle cells, which synthesize predominantly type III procollagen. Cultured fixed cells were also examined by immunohistochemistry. Both myofibroblasts and fibroblasts stained positively with antibodies to type I and III procollagens. Reaction to type V procollagen antibodies was prominent only in the myofibroblast, as was immunostaining with anti-muscle actin antibodies. Immunostaining with desmin antibodies was negative in both cell types. By electron microscopy, the myofibroblast had well-developed dense microfilament fibers of 40-80 degrees that were prominent in the long axes of the cells near the cellular margins. Although the myofibroblast has properties of both smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts, it appears to be most likely a modified fibroblast that has undergone differentiation, probably in response to specific signals from the extracellular matrix.