Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026
10:45
Isolation and Characterization of Adult Cardiac Fibroblasts and Myofibroblasts
Published on: March 12, 2020
Hematopoietic origin of fibroblasts/myofibroblasts: Its pathophysiologic implications
Makio Ogawa1, Amanda C LaRue, Christopher J Drake
1Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC, USA. ogawam@musc.edu
Blood
|July 15, 2006
Summary
Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are a surprising source of tissue fibroblasts and myofibroblasts across multiple organs. This research reveals a novel differentiation pathway for HSCs, impacting understanding of tissue repair and disease.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Stem Cell Research
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Tissue fibroblasts/myofibroblasts are crucial for tissue homeostasis and pathology.
- Previous studies suggested bone marrow as the origin of these cells in various organs.
- Bone marrow contains hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and mesenchymal stem cells, necessitating clarification of fibroblast origin.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine whether hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) or mesenchymal stem cells are the source of tissue fibroblasts/myofibroblasts.
- To investigate the differentiation potential of HSCs in tissue reconstitution.
Main Methods:
- Transplantation of single hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) engineered to express enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP).
- Tracking eGFP-labeled cells to identify their contribution to fibroblast/myofibroblast populations in various tissues.
- Analysis of tissue reconstitution derived from single HSC clones.
Main Results:
- Fibroblasts and myofibroblasts in multiple organs and tissues were found to be derived from hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs).
- Demonstrated a previously unrecognized differentiation capacity of HSCs towards non-hematopoietic cell lineages.
Conclusions:
- Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are a significant source of tissue fibroblasts/myofibroblasts.
- This finding reveals a novel differentiation pathway for HSCs with implications for regenerative medicine and understanding fibrotic diseases.
Related Concept Videos
01:09Introduction to Fibroblasts
Rudolph Virchow discovered spindle-shaped cells called fibroblasts in 1858. Inactive fibroblasts, called fibrocytes, become activated by various stimuli, such as growth factors and inflammatory cytokines. Activated fibroblasts play a crucial role in wound healing, inflammation, formation of new blood vessels, and cancer progression. Uncontrolled activation of fibroblasts results in fibrosis, the excess deposition of fibrous tissue, which can lead to scarring and affect normal organs. This...
01:13Formation of Muscle Fibers from Myoblasts
De novo myogenesis, or the formation of muscle fibers, begins during the early embryonic stages. The skeletal muscle is formed from somites– blocks of embryonic cell layers. The somites are further divided into dermatomes, myotomes, sclerotomes, and syndetomes. Among these, the myotomes give rise to muscle fibers.
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...
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...
01:24Cirrhosis II: Pathophysiology
Cirrhosis is a progressive chronic liver injury caused by prolonged inflammation, excessive fibrotic remodeling, and impaired regeneration. Over time, repeated hepatic insults disrupt the liver’s architecture and function, leading to reduced blood flow, impaired bile drainage, and diminished metabolic capacity.Pathophysiology of cirrhosisCirrhosis arises from three main responses to chronic liver damage: inflammation, immune activation, and hepatocyte death. These processes lead to structural...
01:34Production of Formed Elements
Hemangioblasts are multipotent stem cells originating from the mesoderm. They give rise to hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), which undergo hematopoiesis to produce all the formed elements of blood. This process is regulated by a complex network of hematopoietic growth factors, including transcription factors, growth factors, and cytokines. These factors stimulate the HSCs to divide and differentiate, though some HSCs remain undifferentiated to maintain a self-renewing pool.
Most HSCs commit to...
Most HSCs commit to...
01:20Overview of Hematopoiesis
Hematopoiesis, or blood cell production, is a vital biological process that begins early in embryonic development and continues throughout life. This process generates the various types of cells found in blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets from hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs).
Developmental Phases of Hematopoiesis
Initially, HSCs are formed in the embryonic yolk sac, a critical site for early blood cell production. These stem cells subsequently migrate to other...
Developmental Phases of Hematopoiesis
Initially, HSCs are formed in the embryonic yolk sac, a critical site for early blood cell production. These stem cells subsequently migrate to other...
01:21Hematopoiesis
The process of blood cell formation is called hematopoiesis. Hematopoiesis starts early during development, on the seventh day of embryogenesis. This phase of hematopoiesis is called the primitive wave, wherein the extraembryonic yolk sac allows the production of erythroid cells and endothelial cells from a common precursor called hemangioblast. The erythroid cells provide oxygen to support the growth of the rapidly dividing embryo. Hemangioblasts later develop into hematopoietic stem cells or...