Role of Mitochondrial Metabolism in Phenotypic Plasticity of Lung Fibroblasts

Introduction: Differentiation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts is an important stage in fibroproliferative reaction. However, deregulation of differentiation and excessive accumulation of myofibroblasts can cause hypertrophic scar formation and fibrosis in lung tissue. The goal of this study is to investigate the role of mitochondrial metabolism in signaling, modulation of cytoskeleton and fibroblast activation. The specific objects are to investigate the role of mitochondrial metabolism in fibroblast phenotypic plasticity in vitro and in further studies in the fibroproliferative response after bleomycin treat…