Fibrosis is part of a tissue repair response to injury, defined as increased deposition of
extracellular matrix. In some instances, fibrosis is beneficial; however, in the majority of
diseases fibrosis is detrimental. Virtually all chronic progressive diseases are associated
with fibrosis, representing a huge number of patients worldwide. Fibrosis occurs in all
organs and tissues, becomes irreversible with time and further drives loss of tissue function.
Various cells types initiate and perpetuate pathological fibrosis by paracrine activation of the …