Myofibroblasts in cancer and fibrosis: two sides of the same coin

Details

• Personal Author:
  Hindman B ; Ma Q
• Description:
  Increasing evidence reveals that the tumor microenvironment plays a pivotal role in determining how cancer cells proliferate, invade, and metastasize. The role of tumor stromal fibroblasts, known as cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF), in particular is being investigated in a number of types of cancer. This interest is in part due to the complicated relationship between cancer cells and their extracellular matrix (ECM). Many solid tumors, such as breast cancer, are associated with a significant increase in ECM stiffness. This stiff ECM encourages cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and migration through a process known as mechanoreciprocity. But are cancer cells themselves directly responsible for the stiffening matrix? Or do CAF, which are more canonically associated with matrix changes than epithelial tumor cells, mediate this Process? CAF are known to have pro-invasive effects on tumor cells, but the molecular basis of these effects are largely unclear. Several studies have shown that certain CAF cells are capable of de novo synthesis of a-smooth muscle actin-containing stress fibers that bestow contractility to the cells, and have a high capacities of protein synthesis and secretion, both of which are characteristics of myobibroblasts found in wound healing and organ fibrosis. Therefore, at least some CAF appear to behave as activated myofibroblasts. Nonetheless, the role of myofibroblasts in cancer remains a subject of debate, which in part is due to differing terminology used and a lack of a specific marker(s) in defining myofibroblasts. In this review, we summarize the evidence for the presence and role of myofibroblasts in cancer progression and discuss the similarities of myofibroblasts in cancer and fibrosis. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Environment Fibrosis Microbiology Neoplasms Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  A-SMA Author Keywords: Myofibroblast Breast Cancer CAF Cancer Cell Function Cellular Function Cellular Reactions ECM Environmental Factors Fibroblasts Molecular Biology Proteins Tumor Microenvironment Tumors

  More +
• ISBN:
  9781634857437
• Publisher:
  Nova Science Publishers, Inc.
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Book
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 3 ; West Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  HELD - Health Effects Laboratory Division
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  45-66
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20048839
• Citation:
  Myofibroblasts origin, function and role in disease. Martinez A,, ed. New York: Nova Science Publishers, Inc., 2016 Sep; :45-66
• Contact Point Address:
  Qiang Ma, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Health Effects Laboratory Division, 1095 Willowdale Rd, Morgantown, WV 26505
• Email:
  qam1@cdc.gov
• Editor(s):
  Martinez A
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2016
• NORA Priority Area:
  Manufacturing
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Source Full Name:
  Myofibroblasts origin, function and role in disease
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:d5b47a1eea5e11df71a84b1c947da7890b238801ae6d0ca065c2621ef0cd9f3bcf513f6541cb1bffe5d4b5870a5c2610fba92ff10985333460c00605ab6b1067
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/203467/cdc_203467_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 917.78 KB ]