Transient expression of myofibroblast-like cells in rat rib fracture callus.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

We have previously shown that early fracture callus of rat rib has viscoelastic and contractile properties resembling those of smooth muscle. The cells responsible for this contractility have been hypothesized to be myofibroblast-like in nature. In soft-tissue healing, force generated by contraction of myofibroblasts promotes healing. Accordingly, we tried to identify myofibroblast-like cells in early fibrous callus.

Animals and methods

Calluses from rat rib fractures were removed 7, 14, and 21 days after fracture and unfractured ribs acted as controls. All tissues were analyzed using qPCR and immunohistochemistry. We analyzed expression of smooth muscle- and myofibroblast-associated genes and proteins including alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA), non-mu

SUBMITTER: McDonald SJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3278664 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature