Isometric contraction of Dupuytren's myofibroblasts is inhibited by blocking intercellular junctions.
J Invest Dermatol
; 133(12): 2664-2671, 2013 Dec.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-23652794
ABSTRACT
Myofibroblasts (MFs) are responsible for both physiological wound and scar contraction. However, it is not known whether these cells act individually to contract the surrounding matrix or whether they behave in a coordinated manner. Therefore, we studied intercellular junctions of primary human MFs derived from patients with Dupuytren's disease, a fibrotic disorder of the dermis and subdermal tissues of the palm. The cells were maintained in anchored three-dimensional collagen lattices to closely mimic conditions in vivo. We found that selective blockade of adherens, mechanosensitive, or gap junctions effectively inhibited contraction of the collagen matrices and downregulated the MF phenotype. Our data indicate that MFs in part function as a coordinated cellular syncytium, and disruption of intercellular communication may provide a therapeutic target in diseases characterized by an overabundance of these contractile cells.
Full text:
1
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Dupuytren Contracture
/
Myofibroblasts
/
Intercellular Junctions
/
Isometric Contraction
Limits:
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
J Invest Dermatol
Year:
2013
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Netherlands