Discussion

Excessive scarring is characterised by the accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, most notably collagen, which can lead to loss of tissue function and ultimately organ failure. Characteristically, cultured fibroblasts produce collagen but do not assemble this into extracellular fibrils. Chen et al disclosed a potentially useful method to induce fibrillar collagen production by fibroblasts in vitro using "macromolecular crowding" to generate pseudo 3D culture conditions. We have developed this technique into a high content screening assay and applied it to primary human fibroblasts isolated from fibrotic lungs. Identifying intervention strategies that prevent the formation of mature, cross-linked collagen may provide therapeutic benefit in patients with fibrotic conditions.