Macrophages decide between regeneration and fibrosis in muscle

Abstract

Defective muscle regeneration is usually accompanied by excessive matrix accumulation (fibrosis). A recent study reveals how this fibrotic process is prevented to allow successful regeneration, through a timely interplay between macrophages and fibro/adipogenic progenitor cells. This has biomedical relevance for fibrotic muscular dystrophies.

Keywords: fibro/adipogenic progenitors; fibrosis; macrophages; nilotinib; regeneration.