Fibroblast activation protein in remodeling tissues

Area of Science:

• Cell Biology
• Biochemistry
• Pathology

Background:

• Tissue remodeling is crucial for development and healing but also implicated in diseases like fibrosis and cancer.
• Reactive stromal cells are key players in these processes, yet their heterogeneity and diverse origins complicate study.
• A specific molecular marker for these cells has been lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review evidence supporting Fibroblast Activation Protein (FAP) as a robust marker for reactive mesenchymal stromal cells.
• To explore FAP's role in understanding reactive stromal cell subpopulations and their functions.
• To discuss the therapeutic potential and risks of targeting FAP and FAP-expressing cells.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on tissue remodeling and reactive stromal cells.
• Analysis of data utilizing FAP as a selective marker.
• Examination of genetic and pharmacologic research on FAP's function and therapeutic targeting.

Main Results:

• FAP is a reliable and selective marker for reactive mesenchymal stromal cells in pathophysiologic tissue remodeling.
• FAP aids in defining relationships between subpopulations of reactive stromal cells.
• FAP and FAP-expressing cells play significant roles in disease pathogenesis.

Conclusions:

• FAP is a valuable tool for studying reactive stromal cells in tissue remodeling.
• Targeting FAP presents therapeutic opportunities and risks that warrant further investigation.
• Understanding FAP's role is critical for developing novel treatments for fibrotic and cancerous conditions.