Epithelial-mesenchymal Transition and Its Implications for Fibrosis

Overview

Journal J Clin Invest

Specialty General Medicine

Date 2003 Dec 18

PMID 14679171

Citations 1151

Authors

Raghu Kalluri

Eric G Neilson

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a central mechanism for diversifying the cells found in complex tissues. This dynamic process helps organize the formation of the body plan, and while EMT is well studied in the context of embryonic development, it also plays a role in the genesis of fibroblasts during organ fibrosis in adult tissues. Emerging evidence from studies of renal fibrosis suggests that more than a third of all disease-related fibroblasts originate from tubular epithelia at the site of injury. This review highlights recent advances in the process of EMT signaling in health and disease and how it may be attenuated or reversed by selective cytokines and growth factors.

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