Читать книгу Musculoskeletal Disorders - Sean Gallagher - Страница 58

Fibroblasts are common support cells in connective tissues. They are mesenchymal pluripotent cells with great heterogeneity in their subtypes. Fibroblasts are key producers of collagen and are heavily involved in the continuous slow turnover of a tissue’s extracellular matrix. When exposed to mechanical or physiological stress, fibroblasts adapt to their environment and have the ability to respond to and send local signals (e.g., cytokines and growth factors) (Dick, Miao, & Limaiem, 2020). Fibroblasts can also transform their phenotype into several other cell types for wound healing and replacement of damaged tissue (Dick et al., 2020). Other types of cells within connective tissues include adipocytes, macrophages (phagocytic immune cells), and plasma cells (cells that give rise to antibodies for immune defense). There are also mast cells that produce histamine and serotonin (chemicals that dilate small blood vessels) and heparin (an anticoagulant).