Promising small molecule anti-fibrotic agents: Newly developed or repositioned drugs targeting myofibroblast transdifferentiation

[Display omitted] Fibrosis occurs in all organs and tissues except the brain, and its progression leads to dysfunction of affected organs. Fibrosis-induced organ dysfunction results from the loss of elasticity, strength, and functionality of tissues due to the extracellular matrix secreted by myofib...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biochemical pharmacology 2023-08, Vol.214, p.115663-115663, Article 115663
Main Authors: Ishikane, Shin, Arioka, Masaki, Takahashi-Yanaga, Fumi
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anti-fibrotic agent
Antifibrotic Agents - chemistry
Antifibrotic Agents - pharmacology
Cell Transdifferentiation - drug effects
Drug Development
Drug Repositioning
Fibrosis
Humans
Myofibroblast
Myofibroblasts - drug effects
Myofibroblasts - pathology
Transdifferentiation signaling
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Summary:[Display omitted] Fibrosis occurs in all organs and tissues except the brain, and its progression leads to dysfunction of affected organs. Fibrosis-induced organ dysfunction results from the loss of elasticity, strength, and functionality of tissues due to the extracellular matrix secreted by myofibroblasts that express smooth muscle-type actin as a marker. Myofibroblasts, which play a major role in fibrosis, were once thought to originate exclusively from activated fibroblasts; however, it is now clear that myofibroblasts are diverse in origin, from epithelial cells, endothelial cells, adipocytes, macrophages, and other cells. Fibrosis of vital organs, such as the heart, lungs, kidneys, and liver, is a serious chronic disease that ultimately leads to death. Currently, anti-cancer drugs have made remarkable progress, as evidenced by the development of many molecular-targeted drugs, and are making a significant contribution to improving the prognosis of cancer treatment. However, the development of anti-fibrotic agents, which also play an important role in prognosis, has lagged. In this review, the current knowledge regarding myofibroblasts is summarized, with particular attention given to their origin and transdifferentiation signaling pathways (e.g., TGF-β, Wnt/β-catenin, YAP/TAZ and AMPK signaling pathways). The development of new small molecule anti-fibrotic agents and the repositioning of existing drugs targeting myofibroblast transdifferentiation are discussed.
ISSN:0006-2952
1873-2968
DOI:10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115663