Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 30, 2026

Fibroblast Derived Human Engineered Connective Tissue for Screening Applications
Published on: August 20, 2021
Mechanisms of force generation and transmission by myofibroblasts
1Laboratory of Cell Biophysics, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Bâtiment SG - AA-B 143, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland. boris.hinz@epfl.ch
Abstract:
The myofibroblast has been shown to have a key role in tissue reconstruction after injury and pathological changes characterized by fibrosis. Force generation by the myofibroblast depends on the isometric contraction of stress fibers containing alpha-smooth muscle actin, and is mediated through Rho/Rho-kinase. The force is transmitted by vinculin and tensin-containing "supermature" focal adhesions, which connect stress fibers with the extracellular matrix. Force production and transmission by the myofibroblast are modulated by the coordinated action of cytokines, extracellular matrix components and mechanical tension. Regulation of these phenomena will be important for therapeutic strategies aimed at influencing fibrocontractive diseases.
Related Concept Videos
Introduction to Fibroblasts
Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces
Anchoring junctions mechanically attach a cell to the...
Formation of Muscle Fibers from Myoblasts
Muscle progenitor cells (MPCs) are formed from the myotomes. MPCs express genes that encode the transcription factors Pax3 and Pax7. Along with Pax 3/7, other transcription factors...
The Role of Actin and Myosin in Non-muscle Cells
Smooth Muscle Contraction
The onset of contraction is triggered by an increase in calcium ions within the sarcoplasm, similar to the process in striated muscle. However, smooth muscles have a relatively smaller reservoir of the sarcoplasmic...
Actin and Myosin in Muscle Contraction

