CD34+ Fibrocytes: Morphology, Histogenesis and Function

Authors: Barth, Peter J.; Westhoff, Christina C.

Source: Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy, Volume 2, Number 3, September 2007 , pp. 221-227(7)

Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers

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Abstract:

The connective tissue of virtually all human organs harbors huge amounts of resident CD34+ fibrocytes. Recent studies have shown that CD34+ fibrocytes derive from circulating CD14+ monocytes. CD34+ fibrocytes are involved in wound healing, act as antigen presenting cells and secrete a multitude of cytokines. Due to their diverse functions CD34+ fibrocytes play a role in connective tissue diseases, pulmonary fibrosis and tumor associated stromal remodeling. Stromal remodeling precipitated by invasive carcinomas is characterized by a loss of CD34+ expression paralleled by a gain of α-SMA expression in stromal cells resulting in a phenotype change from CD34+ fibrocytes towards α-SMA positive myofibroblasts. This process is very stereotypic and may play an essential role in local tumor invasion and systemic dissemination, since a reduction of antigen presenting CD34+ fibrocytes might constitute a step in escaping the hosts' immune control directed against invasive carcinoma cells.

Keywords: CD34; fibrocytes; stroma; myofibroblast

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157488807781696249

Publication date: 2007-09-01

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Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy publishes frontier reviews on all aspects of basic research on stem cells and their uses in clinical therapy. The journal's aim is to publish the highest quality review articles in the field. The journal is essential reading for all researchers and clinicians involved in stem cells.