Mediators leading to fibrosis - how to measure and control them in tissue engineering

Fibrosis is the result of an excessive amount of fibrous connective tissue deposited into the extracellular matrix (ECM) space of damaged tissues from injury or disease. Collagens, particularly types I and III are the main constituents of the fibrotic scar tissue as well as a mixture of fibrotic cells. Severely fibrotic tissue will develop chronic healing problems resulting in tissue/organ dysfunction. More attention needs to be given to the fibrotic differentiation and related effects in bioengineered tissues. The current review provides an update on the mechanism behind fibrosis formation as well as technical measurements and preventions.