Viable fibroblast populations are diverse, functionally distinct cell groups within tissues, identified by unique surface markers (like SFRP2, FMO1, Dpp4, Dlk1) that maintain tissue structure, produce extracellular matrix (ECM), and respond to injury, with subtypes existing in skin, reproductive tracts, and even within the same organ, crucial for understanding development, healing, and disease like fibrosis. They are vital for tissue homeostasis but can transform (e.g., into myofibroblasts) during repair or disease, necessitating markers for isolating these functional subsets for research and therapy.
Key Characteristics & Subpopulations
Tissue-Specific Roles:
Fibroblasts vary significantly by location (e.g., skin vs. gingiva), with gingival fibroblasts promoting scarless healing, notes ScienceDirect and MDPI.
Intra-Organ Heterogeneity:
Even within one organ, like the skin, distinct populations (papillary vs. reticular) exist with different origins and functions, as shown by National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Journal of Investigative Dermatology.
Major Classes:
scRNA-seq identified major skin fibroblast groups like SFRP2+ (smaller, matrix-focused) and FMO1+ (larger, immune-related) cells, alongside others (e.g., COL11A1+), according to National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts (CAFs):
In tumors, distinct CAF subtypes (myoCAFs, iCAFs) influence progression and treatment resistance
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