Persistent activation of fibroblasts is a common denominator of fibrotic diseases but mechanistically incompletely defined. In contrast to physiologic tissue repair responses, fibroblasts remain persistently active in fibrotic diseases and continue to release excessive amounts of extracellular matrix. We will discuss novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the uncontrolled activation of fibroblasts in fibrotic diseases and potential implications of those findings for targeted antifibrotic therapies.

Disclosure of Interest J. Distler Shareholder of: 4D Science, Grant/research support from: Anamar, Active Biotech, Array Biopharma, aTyr, BMS, Bayer Pharma, Boehringer Ingelheim, Celgene, Galapagos, GSK, Inventiva, Novartis, Sanofi-Aventis, RedX, UCB, Consultant for: Actelion, Active Biotech, Anamar, Bayer Pharma, Boehringer Ingelheim, Celgene, Galapagos, GSK, Inventiva, JB Therapeutics, Medac, Pfizer, RuiYi and UCB