Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Introduction to Fibroblasts01:09

Introduction to Fibroblasts

3.9K
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...
3.9K
Mesenchymal Stem Cells01:19

Mesenchymal Stem Cells

4.5K
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are adult stem cells that can differentiate into most connective tissue cell types, except for hematopoietic cells, depending upon the source of MSCs. For example, bone-marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) can differentiate into osteocytes, hepatocytes, and pancreatic and neuronal cells. MSCs can be isolated from various sources such as bone marrow, placenta, adipose tissue, teeth, and Wharton’s jelly, a gelatinous substance in the umbilical cord. The ease of their...
4.5K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

[Role of calcium-sensing receptor in neonatal mice with persistent pulmonary hypertension].

Zhongguo dang dai er ke za zhi = Chinese journal of contemporary pediatrics·2017
Same author

Inhalation of high concentrations of hydrogen ameliorates liver ischemia/reperfusion injury through A<sub>2A</sub> receptor mediated PI3K-Akt pathway.

Biochemical pharmacology·2017
Same author

A new 3-D open-framework Li-rich vanadoborate and its high ionic conductivity after transforming into glasses.

Dalton transactions (Cambridge, England : 2003)·2017
Same author

Drug-Derived Bright and Color-Tunable N-Doped Carbon Dots for Cell Imaging and Sensitive Detection of Fe<sup>3+</sup> in Living Cells.

ACS applied materials & interfaces·2017
Same author

[Effects of MMPs inhibitors on microleakage with wet bonding technique].

Shanghai kou qiang yi xue = Shanghai journal of stomatology·2017
Same author

Cortical Dynamic Causality Network for Auditory-Motor Tasks.

IEEE transactions on neural systems and rehabilitation engineering : a publication of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society·2017

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 25, 2026

Murine Dermal Fibroblast Isolation by FACS
06:04

Murine Dermal Fibroblast Isolation by FACS

Published on: January 7, 2016

21.4K

Mesenchymal stem cell-like properties in fibroblasts.

Yuqiao Chang1, He Li, Zhikun Guo

  • 1Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.

Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry : International Journal of Experimental Cellular Physiology, Biochemistry, and Pharmacology
|August 30, 2014
PubMed
Summary

Fibroblasts, versatile connective tissue cells, can differentiate into various cell types and exhibit mesenchymal stem cell-like properties. This review explores their origins, differentiation potential, and similarities to mesenchymal stem cells for tissue repair.

More Related Videos

Isolation and Characterization of Adult Cardiac Fibroblasts and Myofibroblasts
10:45

Isolation and Characterization of Adult Cardiac Fibroblasts and Myofibroblasts

Published on: March 12, 2020

15.4K
Ultrasonic-augmented Primary Adult Fibroblast Isolation
06:51

Ultrasonic-augmented Primary Adult Fibroblast Isolation

Published on: July 29, 2019

7.5K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 25, 2026

Murine Dermal Fibroblast Isolation by FACS
06:04

Murine Dermal Fibroblast Isolation by FACS

Published on: January 7, 2016

21.4K
Isolation and Characterization of Adult Cardiac Fibroblasts and Myofibroblasts
10:45

Isolation and Characterization of Adult Cardiac Fibroblasts and Myofibroblasts

Published on: March 12, 2020

15.4K
Ultrasonic-augmented Primary Adult Fibroblast Isolation
06:51

Ultrasonic-augmented Primary Adult Fibroblast Isolation

Published on: July 29, 2019

7.5K

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Connective Tissue Research
  • Regenerative Medicine

Background:

  • Fibroblasts are the most abundant connective tissue cells, crucial for maintaining tissue structure through extracellular matrix production.
  • Recent research highlights fibroblast plasticity, including their ability to arise from epithelial cells via epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and to differentiate into epithelial cells through mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the origins and mesenchymal stem cell-like characteristics of fibroblasts.
  • To explore the potential of directed fibroblast differentiation for in situ tissue repair.
  • To highlight the shared properties between fibroblasts and mesenchymal stem cells.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on fibroblast biology, differentiation, and stem cell-like properties.
  • Analysis of research on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET) involving fibroblasts.
  • Comparative analysis of fibroblast and mesenchymal stem cell characteristics.

Main Results:

  • Fibroblasts exhibit significant heterogeneity and plasticity, capable of undergoing EMT and MET.
  • Fibroblasts possess mesenchymal stem cell-like features, including differentiation potential and immune-suppressive capabilities in vitro.
  • Evidence suggests substantial overlap in characteristics and functions between fibroblasts and mesenchymal stem cells.

Conclusions:

  • Fibroblasts are key players in tissue homeostasis and repair due to their dynamic nature and differentiation potential.
  • The stem cell-like properties of fibroblasts offer promising avenues for regenerative medicine and in situ tissue regeneration.
  • Further research into fibroblast biology may uncover novel therapeutic strategies by leveraging their plasticity and similarity to mesenchymal stem cells.