Identification and isolation of a dermal lineage with intrinsic fibrogenic potential

Dermal fibroblasts represent a heterogeneous population of cells with diverse features that remain largely undefined. We reveal the presence of at least two fibroblast lineages in murine dorsal skin. Lineage tracing and transplantation assays demonstrate that a single fibroblast lineage is responsible for the bulk of connective tissue deposition during embryonic development, cutaneous wound healing, radiation fibrosis, and cancer stroma formation. Lineage-specific cell ablation leads to diminished connective tissue deposition in wounds and reduces melanoma growth. Using flow cytometry, we identify CD26/DPP4 as a surface marker that allows isolation of this lineage. Small molecule-based inhibition of CD26/DPP4…

• CI
  California Institute for Regenerative Medicine

  Award: TG2-01159
• OF
  Oak Foundation
• PS
  Plastic Surgery Foundation

  Award: 114288
• HF
  Human Frontier Science Program
• VA
  Virginia and D.K. Ludwig Fund for Cancer Research
• CI
  California Institute of Regenerative Medicine

  Award: RC1 00354
• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Awards: R01 GM087609, U01 HL099776, U01 HL099999
• SO
  School of Medicine, Stanford University
• NI
  National Institute of General Medical Sciences

  Award: GM07365