What are stromal fibroblasts?

Stromal cells can become connective tissue cells of any organ, for example in the uterine mucosa (endometrium), prostate, bone marrow, lymph node and the ovary. They are cells that support the function of the parenchymal cells of that organ. The most common stromal cells include fibroblasts and pericytes.

What are stromal cells in cancer?

Tumor stroma is composed of extracellular matrix and specialized connective tissue cells, including fibroblasts and mesenchymal stromal cells. All tumors have stroma and require stroma for nutritional support and the removal of waste products, but stromal content can vary markedly in different types of cancers.

What is the role of stromal compartments during cancer development?

Importantly, cells of the stromal compartment of tumors, which include MSCs, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, pericytes, adipocytes, and immune cells, are increasingly being recognized as crucial players in the development of the tumor microenvironment, metastasis, immune infiltration and inflammation, and …

What are the stromal cells?

Stromal cells are connective tissue cells of any organ, and they support the function of the parenchymal cells of that particular organ. Stromal/stromal stem cells are fundamentally a heterogeneous population of cells with contradictory differentiation potential depending upon their environmental niche.

What are the functions of fibroblasts?

A fibroblast is a type of cell that contributes to the formation of connective tissue, a fibrous cellular material that supports and connects other tissues or organs in the body. Fibroblasts secrete collagen proteins that help maintain the structural framework of tissues.

Are stromal cells fibroblasts?

Fibroblasts are the predominant cells in stroma, especially in case of breast, prostate and pancreatic carcinoma. CAFs are responsible for production of paracrine growth factors, proteolytic enzymes and ECM components.

What does stromal cell mean?

What is the role of stroma?

The main function of stroma cells is to help support organs and act as connective tissue for particular organs. The connective tissue here connects to the parenchyma cells of things such as blood vessels and nerves. The stroma cells will help to reduce stress over the organ.

What do fibroblasts do in chronic inflammation?

Inflammation. Fibroblasts serve roles in inflammation and immune cell recruitment to sites of tissue injury. Furthermore, fibroblasts produce and are responsive to many inflammatory cytokines.

What is the role of fibroblasts in wound healing?

Fibroblasts are critical in supporting normal wound healing, involved in key processes such as breaking down the fibrin clot, creating new extra cellular matrix (ECM) and collagen structures to support the other cells associated with effective wound healing, as well as contracting the wound.

Do stromal fibroblasts play a role in carcinogenesis?

The studies discussed in this review suggest a more important role for stromal fibroblasts in carcinogenesis than was previously appreciated. Fibroblasts influence epithelial transformation by production of paracrine factors that impact both normal epithelia as well as carcinoma cells.

How do stromal fibroblasts influence epithelial transformation?

Fibroblasts influence epithelial transformation by production of paracrine factors that impact both normal epithelia as well as carcinoma cells. In addition, there is now considerable evidence that mutations arising in stromal fibroblasts can precede carcinoma development.

How does radiation to stromal fibroblasts affect invasiveness of pancreatic cancer?

Ohuchida K, et al. Radiation to stromal fibroblasts increases invasiveness of pancreatic cancer cells through tumor-stromal interactions. Cancer Res. 2004;64:3215–22.

What is the role of myofibroblasts in the pathophysiology of carcinoma?

Fibroblasts and myofibroblasts often represent the majority of the stromal cells within various types of human carcinomas, yet the specific contributions of these cells to tumor growth are poorly understood.