The Fibrotic Scar in Neurological Disorders

Brain Pathology, 2014 · DOI: 10.1111/bpa.12162 · Published: May 26, 2014

Simple Explanation

Scar formation, or fibrosis, is a common response to tissue damage in the body, including the central nervous system (CNS). In the CNS, this process is typically restricted to vascular and meningeal areas, but inflammation can trigger more widespread scar formation. The glial scar, formed by astrocytes, isolates intact neural tissue from damage, while a fibrotic scar, sensitive to inflammatory mediators, develops in the lesion core. Pericytes and perivascular fibroblasts play a role in creating this fibrotic scar. The fibrotic scar is believed to hinder CNS regeneration, suggesting that targeting fibrosis could be a useful therapeutic strategy for neurological disorders like stroke, spinal cord injury, and multiple sclerosis.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Not specified

Evidence Level

Review

Key Findings

1
Pericytes and perivascular fibroblasts are key cells involved in generating the fibrotic scar in the CNS following injury.
2
The fibrotic scar, composed of extracellular matrix proteins, creates a barrier that inhibits axon regeneration and CNS plasticity.
3
Neuroinflammation drives fibrotic scarring in the CNS, with cytokines like IL-1β and TGF-β1 playing a significant role in this process.

Research Summary

Tissue fibrosis, or scar formation, is a common response to damage in most organs of the body. The central nervous system (CNS) is special in that fibrogenic cells are restricted to vascular and meningeal niches. Genetic fate mapping studies suggest that pericytes and perivascular fibroblasts are activated, but other precursor cells may also be involved in generating a transient fibrous extracellular matrix in the CNS. Targeting of fibrosis may therefore prove to be a valuable therapeutic strategy for neurological disorders such as stroke, spinal cord injury and multiple sclerosis.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Target

Targeting fibrosis may be a valuable therapeutic strategy for neurological disorders such as stroke, spinal cord injury, and multiple sclerosis.

Understanding Scar Formation

Further research is needed to fully understand the functions of fibrotic scarring in the CNS, as they are likely to be time and context-dependent.

Inflammation Modulation

Modulating neuroinflammation may help to control or prevent fibrotic scarring in the CNS.

Study Limitations

1
Lack of specific markers for pericytes makes their identification and fate mapping challenging.
2
The precise origin and roles of different stromal cell populations in CNS fibrosis are not fully characterized.
3
The functions of fibrotic scarring in the CNS are likely to be time and context-dependent, requiring more studies for evaluation.

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