Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsStructureTypesFunctionAssociated Conditions

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Structure

Types

Function

Associated Conditions

Fibroblastsare specialized cells in the body essential for the structure of tissues. They produceproteinsthat make up the components of the extracellular matrix (ECM), which serves as a scaffolding for other cells.This makes fibroblasts important components ofconnective tissue, the fibrous material that holds organs and tissues in place.

These cells serve several important functions in every organ system and body part. Dermal fibroblasts (those in theskin) are essential for wound healing, while other fibroblasts are involved in inflammation, tissue growth and repair, regulating the heartbeat, and more.Other types of fibroblasts contribute to fibrosis (scarring),scleroderma(a skin disorder), andcancer.

This article provides an overview of fibroblasts' anatomy and function, and the conditions associated with them.

Ed Reschke / Getty Images

Areolar Connective Tissue (or Loose Connective Tissue). Magnification x250. Showing collagen fibres (large, pink fibres), elastic fibres (black), matrix and fibroblasts–cells that produce the fibres. - stock photo

Unlike some other types of cells, fibroblasts can undergo development and transformation. Thefibrocyteis an inactivated state of the cell associated with tissue generation.In wound healing or as part of the inflammatory response, fibroblasts transform tomyofibroblasts, which are stiffer, crisscrossed with fibers, and provide more support.

Types of Fibroblasts

There are many types of fibroblasts involved in different body parts and systems. Among the primary subtypes are:

The primary function of fibroblasts is to provide support and structure to tissues in the body. They are associated with many body processes, which include:

Many conditions are associated with fibroblasts and fibroblast activity since they are an essential part of your body’s structure. These critical cells are involved in:

Summary

Fibroblasts are common cells that support tissues in the body. They’re typically flat in shape, with spindles. These cells produce the proteins that hold vessels, tissues, muscles, and other structures in place, serve a role in cell development and repair, and are essential for wound healing.Fibroblasts are involved in a wide range of diseases and conditions.

A Word From Verywell

Fibroblasts are an essential part of the body’s delicate framework from the skin to the heart. It is important to understand these cells, their function, and their place in medicine. Knowing how you are put together is a big part of maintaining your health.

9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.D’Urso M, Kurniawan N.Mechanical and physical regulation of fibroblast-myofibroblast transition: from cellular mechanoresponse to tissue pathology.Front Bioeng Biotechnol. 2020;8. doi:10.3389/fbioe.2020.609653Tracy L, Minasian R, Caterson E.Extracellular matrix and dermal fibroblast function in the healing wound.Adv Wound Care. 2016;5(3):119-136. doi:10.1089/wound.2014.0561Reinhardt J, Breuer C.Fibrocytes: a critical review and practical guide.Front Immunol. 2021;12. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2021.784401Attwell D, Mishra A, Hall CN, O’Farrell FM, Dalkara T.What is a pericyte? J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 2016 Feb;36(2):451-5. doi: 10.1177/0271678X15610340. Epub 2015 Oct 14. PMID: 26661200; PMCID: PMC4759679.Humeres C, Frangogiannis NG.Fibroblasts in the Infarcted, Remodeling, and Failing Heart. JACC Basic Transl Sci. 2019 Jun 24;4(3):449-467. doi: 10.1016/j.jacbts.2019.02.006. PMID: 31312768; PMCID: PMC6610002.Gilbane AJ, Denton CP, Holmes AM.Scleroderma pathogenesis: a pivotal role for fibroblasts as effector cells. Arthritis Res Ther. 2013;15(3):215. doi: 10.1186/ar4230. PMID: 23796020; PMCID: PMC4060542.Wei K, Nguyen HN, Brenner MB.Fibroblast pathology in inflammatory diseases.J Clin Invest. 2021;131(20):e149538. doi:10.1172/JCI149538Asif P, Longobardi C, Hahne M, Medema J.The role of cancer-associated fibroblasts in cancer invasion and metastasis.Cancers. 2021;13(18):4720. doi:10.3390/cancers13184720National Genome Research Institute.Fibroblast.Additional ReadingD’Urso M, Kurniawan N.Mechanical and physical regulation of fibroblast-myofibroblast transition: from cellular mechanoresponse to tissue pathology.Front Bioeng Biotechnol. 2020;8. doi:10.3389/fbioe.2020.609653

9 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.D’Urso M, Kurniawan N.Mechanical and physical regulation of fibroblast-myofibroblast transition: from cellular mechanoresponse to tissue pathology.Front Bioeng Biotechnol. 2020;8. doi:10.3389/fbioe.2020.609653Tracy L, Minasian R, Caterson E.Extracellular matrix and dermal fibroblast function in the healing wound.Adv Wound Care. 2016;5(3):119-136. doi:10.1089/wound.2014.0561Reinhardt J, Breuer C.Fibrocytes: a critical review and practical guide.Front Immunol. 2021;12. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2021.784401Attwell D, Mishra A, Hall CN, O’Farrell FM, Dalkara T.What is a pericyte? J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 2016 Feb;36(2):451-5. doi: 10.1177/0271678X15610340. Epub 2015 Oct 14. PMID: 26661200; PMCID: PMC4759679.Humeres C, Frangogiannis NG.Fibroblasts in the Infarcted, Remodeling, and Failing Heart. JACC Basic Transl Sci. 2019 Jun 24;4(3):449-467. doi: 10.1016/j.jacbts.2019.02.006. PMID: 31312768; PMCID: PMC6610002.Gilbane AJ, Denton CP, Holmes AM.Scleroderma pathogenesis: a pivotal role for fibroblasts as effector cells. Arthritis Res Ther. 2013;15(3):215. doi: 10.1186/ar4230. PMID: 23796020; PMCID: PMC4060542.Wei K, Nguyen HN, Brenner MB.Fibroblast pathology in inflammatory diseases.J Clin Invest. 2021;131(20):e149538. doi:10.1172/JCI149538Asif P, Longobardi C, Hahne M, Medema J.The role of cancer-associated fibroblasts in cancer invasion and metastasis.Cancers. 2021;13(18):4720. doi:10.3390/cancers13184720National Genome Research Institute.Fibroblast.Additional ReadingD’Urso M, Kurniawan N.Mechanical and physical regulation of fibroblast-myofibroblast transition: from cellular mechanoresponse to tissue pathology.Front Bioeng Biotechnol. 2020;8. doi:10.3389/fbioe.2020.609653

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

D’Urso M, Kurniawan N.Mechanical and physical regulation of fibroblast-myofibroblast transition: from cellular mechanoresponse to tissue pathology.Front Bioeng Biotechnol. 2020;8. doi:10.3389/fbioe.2020.609653Tracy L, Minasian R, Caterson E.Extracellular matrix and dermal fibroblast function in the healing wound.Adv Wound Care. 2016;5(3):119-136. doi:10.1089/wound.2014.0561Reinhardt J, Breuer C.Fibrocytes: a critical review and practical guide.Front Immunol. 2021;12. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2021.784401Attwell D, Mishra A, Hall CN, O’Farrell FM, Dalkara T.What is a pericyte? J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 2016 Feb;36(2):451-5. doi: 10.1177/0271678X15610340. Epub 2015 Oct 14. PMID: 26661200; PMCID: PMC4759679.Humeres C, Frangogiannis NG.Fibroblasts in the Infarcted, Remodeling, and Failing Heart. JACC Basic Transl Sci. 2019 Jun 24;4(3):449-467. doi: 10.1016/j.jacbts.2019.02.006. PMID: 31312768; PMCID: PMC6610002.Gilbane AJ, Denton CP, Holmes AM.Scleroderma pathogenesis: a pivotal role for fibroblasts as effector cells. Arthritis Res Ther. 2013;15(3):215. doi: 10.1186/ar4230. PMID: 23796020; PMCID: PMC4060542.Wei K, Nguyen HN, Brenner MB.Fibroblast pathology in inflammatory diseases.J Clin Invest. 2021;131(20):e149538. doi:10.1172/JCI149538Asif P, Longobardi C, Hahne M, Medema J.The role of cancer-associated fibroblasts in cancer invasion and metastasis.Cancers. 2021;13(18):4720. doi:10.3390/cancers13184720National Genome Research Institute.Fibroblast.

D’Urso M, Kurniawan N.Mechanical and physical regulation of fibroblast-myofibroblast transition: from cellular mechanoresponse to tissue pathology.Front Bioeng Biotechnol. 2020;8. doi:10.3389/fbioe.2020.609653

Tracy L, Minasian R, Caterson E.Extracellular matrix and dermal fibroblast function in the healing wound.Adv Wound Care. 2016;5(3):119-136. doi:10.1089/wound.2014.0561

Reinhardt J, Breuer C.Fibrocytes: a critical review and practical guide.Front Immunol. 2021;12. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2021.784401

Attwell D, Mishra A, Hall CN, O’Farrell FM, Dalkara T.What is a pericyte? J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 2016 Feb;36(2):451-5. doi: 10.1177/0271678X15610340. Epub 2015 Oct 14. PMID: 26661200; PMCID: PMC4759679.

Humeres C, Frangogiannis NG.Fibroblasts in the Infarcted, Remodeling, and Failing Heart. JACC Basic Transl Sci. 2019 Jun 24;4(3):449-467. doi: 10.1016/j.jacbts.2019.02.006. PMID: 31312768; PMCID: PMC6610002.

Gilbane AJ, Denton CP, Holmes AM.Scleroderma pathogenesis: a pivotal role for fibroblasts as effector cells. Arthritis Res Ther. 2013;15(3):215. doi: 10.1186/ar4230. PMID: 23796020; PMCID: PMC4060542.

Wei K, Nguyen HN, Brenner MB.Fibroblast pathology in inflammatory diseases.J Clin Invest. 2021;131(20):e149538. doi:10.1172/JCI149538

Asif P, Longobardi C, Hahne M, Medema J.The role of cancer-associated fibroblasts in cancer invasion and metastasis.Cancers. 2021;13(18):4720. doi:10.3390/cancers13184720

National Genome Research Institute.Fibroblast.

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