[Fibroblasts and their significance in tissue reactions]

The review deals with current information on fibroblasts as cells with polypotential functions stimulated by synthesis of various biologically active substances. The presence of functional contacts with various cells ensures the control of the cell division and differentiation, indicates the role of cell cooperation in remodelling the connective tissue by means of regulation of fibrillogenesis and degradation of the intercellular substance under different pathological conditions. It is shown that structural-functional alterations of fibroblasts in some diseases are the indices of changes in their interaction with mesenchymal and non-mesenchymal cells and with stromal intercellular substance. The role of fibroblasts in the control over homeostatic stability in organs and tissues is underlined, the disturbance of which may be of crucial importance in the pathologic processes.