Research Progress on Pathogenic Role of Myofibroblasts in Gingival Fibrotic Diseases

doi:10.13701/j.cnki.kqyxyj.2025.01.003

Abstract

Abstract: In many organs, such as oral, skin, heart, liver, kidney, etc., most of the final result of chronic diseases are tissue fibrosis or scar formation. Myofibroblasts are almost all organized cells of organ fibrosis. In gingival fibrosis, myofibroblasts promote the process of fibrosis. In the process of gingival fibrosis, myofibroblasts result in excessive synthesis, deposition, and reshaping of extracellular matrix protein, especially type Ⅰ collagen, which causes the normal gingival physiological shape and structure to change and influence the patients' chewing, beauty, and other functions. This article combines related researches progress at home and abroad in recent years, discusses the biological characteristics of myofibroblasts in gingival fibrosis represented by drug-induced gingival overgrowth and hereditary gingival fibromatosis, and the transfer division processes and ending of myofibroblasts, and understands the key signal channels of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-mediated fibroblasts to myofibroblasts and regulating these processes. Myofibroblasts are attractive targets of anti-fibrosis treatment, so it is essential to discover and develop promising anti-fibrosis drug candidates.

Key words: fibrosis, myofibroblasts, drug-inducedgingival overgrowth, hereditary gingival fibromatosis

HUO Yaru, LIU Min. Research Progress on Pathogenic Role of Myofibroblasts in Gingival Fibrotic Diseases[J]. Journal of Oral Science Research, 2025, 41(1): 12-15.

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