Fig. 2
From: Myofibroblasts and lung fibrosis induced by carbon nanotube exposure
Fibroblasts and myofibroblasts in fibrosis. Fibroblasts and myofibroblasts act as the effector cells in organ fibrosis. Upon fibrogenic stimulation, tissue resident fibroblasts are activated to migrate and proliferate. Activated fibroblasts are the major progenitor cells to differentiate into myofibroblasts, indicated by the de novo expression of α-SMA. Myofibroblasts possess several characteristics, which distinguish them from fibroblasts and render them unique and critical functions in organ fibrosis