A new study published in the International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology investigated the heterogeneity between laryngotracheal stenosis and hypertrophic scar derived fibroblasts.

Here, human laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS) and skin hypertrophic scar (HTS) specimens were obtained during tracheal resection and T-shaped tracheal stent implantation surgery. Fibroblasts were isolated and cultured; cell proliferation and migration were analyzed. 

The results showed that cell proliferation and migration of LTS derived fibroblasts were significantly faster than HTS fibroblasts, with no significant difference in the percentage of apoptotic cells. While COL1a1, α-SMAand Integrins were down-regulated in LTS fibroblasts, TGFB1 and chemokine receptor CXCR7 were up-regulated. However, the expressions of SMAD4 and phospho-SMAD2/3 remained comparable.

From the findings, it was concluded that human LTS and HTS derived fibroblasts differ in cell proliferation and migration. Different expressions of COL1a1, α-SMA and CXCR7 have been found between the two fibroblasts.

Source: Int J PediatrOtorhinolaryngol. 2021 Apr 17;145:110709. doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2021.110709.