Immunophenotypical Analyses of Myofibroblasts in Rat Excisional Wound Healing: Possible Transdifferentiation of Blood Vessel Pericytes and Perifollicular Dermal Sheath Cells into Myofibroblasts

The study investigated the immunophenotypical characteristics of myofibroblasts in rat excisional wound healing, focusing on their potential origins. Myofibroblasts, which contribute to cutaneous fibrosis by producing collagen, were analyzed for expressions of vimentin, desmin, and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). These cells were first observed on post-wounding day 5, peaked on day 9, and decreased thereafter. The study found that myofibroblasts shared immunophenotypical similarities with pericytes in newly-developing blood vessels and perifollicular dermal sheath cells, suggesting that myofibroblasts might originate from these cells, which are related to stromal-/bone marrow-stem cells.