When an injury occurs, the body reacts immediately. Cells in the vicinity of the trauma signal first-responder cells known as fibroblasts to secrete extracellular matrix, a type of connective tissue rich in collagens that acts as a scaffold for rebuilding the damaged tissue.
The common name for this biological process is scarring. In most cases, scarring helps us recover from the injury by stabilizing the wound and promoting healing. At worst, we have a good story to tell. However, when the injury occurs to vital organs – like the heart – scarring becomes a survival mechanism.
When scar tissue replaces muscle tissue after a heart attack, for example, the heart’s capacity to contract and relax is significantly reduced, limiting blood flow to the rest of the body, which leads to heart disease. Controlling the process of scarring, and identifying therapeutic pathways, could lead to more complete recovery for heart attack victims, more effective healing for people who suffer from poor wound closure, and better outcomes for patients with certain forms of liver and lung diseases.
