The Cellular Origin of Fibrosis: Team Identifies Rare Stem Cells That Give Rise of Chronic Tissue Scarring

November 21, 2014

(Medical Xpress) – Harvard Stem Cell Institute scientists at Brigham and Women’s Hospital have found the cellular origin of the tissue scarring caused by organ damage associated with diabetes, lung disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, and other conditions. The buildup of scar tissue is known as fibrosis…The researchers, led by Benjamin Humphreys, MD, PhD, found that a rare population of stem cells located outside of blood vessels in mice become myofibroblast cells that secrete proteins that cause scar tissue.