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When Healing Goes Wrong - Understanding Fibrosis
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Take a moment to think about the last time when you had an injury you could see. Maybe it was a scratch or scrape on your arm or leg, or even a cut on your finger. You probably knew what would happen next. Once the bleeding was under control, you expected a scab to form, and maybe wondered if you’d end up with a scar. At the center of this healing process was a cell called a fibroblast. Fibroblasts are the most common type of cell found in connective tissue and they play an important role in healing wounds by secreting collagen proteins that repair tissue.
But sometimes these fibroblasts become confused about what they should be doing, leading to a condition called fibrosis. Researchers don’t fully understand why fibrosis occurs, but it leads to organs or tissues developing excessive fibrous tissue, which can interfere with multiple organs like the lungs, heart, liver, skin, kidneys, and eyes - ultimately leading to loss of organ function. Inflammation or fibrosis play a role in several diseases, including lupus, cystic fibrosis and scleroderma. There are currently no FDA approved drugs that can halt the progression of fibrosis or reverse it, making it an essential area of focus for research.
In this episode of Science Never Sleeps, we'll be discussing scleroderma and fibrosis, and research to find treatments and possible cures.
Guest Notes: Dr. Carol Feghali-Bostwick is a Distinguished University Professor in the Division of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology at MUSC focusing on fibrosis encompassing disorders such as Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. In addition to research, Dr. Feghali-Bostwick ‘s efforts include mentoring of junior investigators in patient-oriented research and directing the Center for the Advancement, Retention, and Recruitment of Women (ARROW). She also serves as the Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of the National Scleroderma Foundation.
Show Reference Links:
Feghali-Bostwick Basic Research Lab at MUSC
National Scleroderma Foundation
What is Ideopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis? - National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
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