Renal myofibroblasts contract collagen I matrix lattices in vitro

Myofibroblasts, cells with both fibroblastic and smooth muscle cell feature s, have been implicated in renal scarring. In addition to synthetic propert ies, contractile features and integrin expression may allow myofibroblasts to rearrange and contract interstitial collagenous proteins. Myofibroblasts from normal rat kidneys were grown in cell-populated collagen lattices to measure cell generated contraction. Following detachment of cell populated collagen lattices, myofibroblasts progressively contracted collagen lattice s, reducing lattice diameter by 42% at 24 h. Alignment of myofibroblasts, r earrangement of fibrils and beta(1) integrin expression were observed withi n lattices. We postulate that interstitial myofibroblasts contribute to ren al scarring through manipulation of collagenous proteins. Copyright (C) 199 9 S. Karger AG, Basel.