The myofibroblast, electron microscopy and cancer research

✍ Scribed by Brian Eyden

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2009
• Tongue: French
• Weight: 103 KB
• Volume: 125
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0020-7136
• DOI: 10.1002/ijc.24550

✦ Synopsis

The admirable and authoritative review by De Wever et al. 1 has emphasized the myofibroblast as a driver of invasive cancer growth; it also mentioned the myofibroblast's role in tissue development. To understand the detailed roles of the myofibroblast in such processes, it is of fundamental importance that the scientific community uses an agreed definition for this cell. The review of De Wever et al. 1 illustrates a dichotomy in the way we use the term myofibroblast, and this can compromise our understanding of the nature of this cell and of the mechanism of diseases in which it participates. This letter addresses the question of how we define the myofibroblast, and, by complementing points raised in the review, 1 wishes to promote the idea that a precise definition of the myofibroblast, incorporating ultrastructural features, may enhance our understanding of this cell and of its involvement in health and disease.