Targeting Inflammation to Control Tissue Fibrosis

Abstract

Review Targeting Inflammation to Control Tissue Fibrosis Weihua Song 1, Wu Sun 2, Zilong Wang 3, Kelvin Yi Chong Teo 2,4,5, Chui Ming Gemmy Cheung 2,4,5, and Xiaomeng Wang 4,5,6,* 1 Innoland Biosciences, 6 West Beijing Road, Taicang 215400, Jiangsu, China. 2 Singapore National Eye Center, 11 Third Hospital Ave 168751, Singapore. 3 Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Rd, Shinan District, Qingdao 266005, Shandong, China. 4 Singapore Eye Research Institute, 20 College Road 169856, Singapore. 5 Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, 20 College Road 169856, Singapore. 6 Insitute of Molecular and Cell Biology, 61 Biopolis Dr, Proteos 138673, Singapore. * Correspondence: xiaomeng.wang@duke-nus.edu.sg Received: 17 November 2022 Accepted: 19 November 2022 Published: 21 December 2022 Abstract: Remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) is an essential process in host defense against pathogens and tissue repair following injury. However, aberrant inflammatory responses could disturb ECM homeostasis leading to progressive disruption in tissue architecture and organ function. Fibrosis is the common outcome of a wide range of diseases, especially chronic inflammatory disorders, and represents the leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. This review provides the current understanding of the pathogenesis of fibrosis, with particular emphasis on the role of inflammation in this process and the translational potential of targeting inflammation as a strategy to control fibrotic progression.

Current Progress in Drug Target Identification and Drug Delivery

“…Despite the advances in understanding the pathophysiology of cardiomyocytes, the main obstacle to progress has been a lack of fundamental knowledge of non-cardiac cells, for instance, inflammatory cells, especially macrophages, neutrophils, and monocytes. Wang et al from Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School tackle a generic yet important topic, beyond cardiovascular system, on targeting inflammation to control tissue fibrosis [5]. Inflammation is the first response mechanism following tissue injury.…”