Role of non-inflammatory factors in intestinal fibrosis

Intestinal fibrosis is a common complication of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), resulting in strictures and ultimately obstruction, which is a significant clinical problem. Fibrosis is mainly triggered by local chronic inflammation and occurs when excessive extracellular matrix deposition is caused by activated mesenchymal cells. Despite the advance of anti-inflammatory therapies in IBD, the incidence and preventive strategies of intestinal fibrosis and strictures in IBD have not significantly changed over time. This shows that inflammation is necessary for fibrosis, but it does not necessarily affect the fibrotic progression. This review summarizes current knowledge about the non-inflammatory mechanisms implicated in the gut fibrotic process of IBD, which may pave the way for new mechanisms and anti-fibrotic therapies.