hirty-four years after the first description of the myofibroblast, the number of publications concerning this cell is very impressive and Tcontinuously expanding, and the work on the myofibroblast involves many laboratories throughout the world. The myofibroblast has been implicated in developmental and physiological phenomena, as well as in a variety of pathological situations, going from wound healing and fibrotic changes to asthma and cancer invasion. Many aspects of myofibroblast biology have been clarified, such as the role of TGF-P and ED-A cellular fibronectin in its differentiation and the role of a-smooth muscle actin in tension production by this cell; however several important problems concerning myofibroblast origin, ftmction and participation in pathological processes remain to be solved. The purpose of this book, as well of the Meeting "Tissue Repair, Contraction and the Myofibroblast" that took place in Nyon, near Geneva, Switzerland on November 18-20, 2004, is to put together the most recent advances in the understanding of myofibroblast biology and to present the main directions of research taking place worldwide to explore new aspects of myofibroblast physiological and pathological activities, such as: mechanisms of force generation by the myofibroblast; myofibroblast origin and diversity; interaction of the myofibroblast with other cells, normal and malignant epithelial cells in particular; and participation of the myofibroblast in the development of fibrosis in various organs. If we consider the animated and constructive discussions that took place during the Nyon Meeting, we are sure that this book will inspire new research in these fields.

Presents the most complete review to-date of the cell biology and pathology features of the myofibroblast as well as the mechanisms of fibrosis evolution in many organs and tissues Discusses the emerging concept of epithelial-mesenchimal cooperation in the processes of cancer invasion and metastasis formation Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Inhalt
Cytomechanics in Connective Tissue Repair and Engineering.- Scleroderma Lung Fibroblasts.- Functional Assessment of Fibroblast Heterogeneity by the Cell-Surface Glycoprotein Thy-1.- Tissue Repair in Asthma.- Experimental Models to Study the Origin and Role of Myofibroblasts in Renal Fibrosis.- Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition of Mesothelial Cells as a Mechanism Responsible for Peritoneal Membrane Failure in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients.- FIZZy Alveolar Epithelial Cells Induce Myofibroblast Differentiation.- Pro-Invasive Molecular Cross-Signaling between Cancer Cells and Myofibroblasts.- Proangiogenic Implications of Hepatic Stellate Cell Transdifferentiation into Myofibroblasts Induced by Tumor Microenvironment.- Matrix Metalloproteinases, Tissue Inhibitors of Metalloproteinase and Matrix Turnover and the Fate of Hepatic Stellate Cells.- Innate Immune Regulation of Lung Injury and Repair.- An Eye on Repair.