Closing the gap: Journal launch brings together wound-healing knowledge

Until now, controversy has existed as to the exact cell type that produces connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), a key protein in the wound healing process. This knowledge gap is closed in a paper featured in the first issue of Fibrogenesis & Tissue Repair, a new open access journal published by BioMed Central.

CTGF is normally induced during tissue repair while elevated, prolonged CTGF expression is the hallmark of fibrosis. In the paper Andrew Leask and his colleagues from the University of Western Ontario, Canada, show that CTGF expression in skin correlates with myofibroblast induction, and that CTGF-expressing pericytes are significant contributors to myofibroblast activity during cutaneous tissue repair. Commenting on the paper, the Editor in Chief of the new journal, Massimo Pinzani, said, "This is a good example of the type of high quality research Fibrogenesis & Tissue Repair will publish. The information provided by this paper is highly relevant to tissue repair and fibrosis in other organs and systems."

Fibroproliferative diseases affecting different organs and systems constitute the largest burden and challenge of modern medicine. Nearly 45% of all deaths in the developed world are caused by chronic inflammatory and fibrogenic disorders such as cardiovascular disease, pulmonary fibrosis, progressive kidney disease, systemic sclerosis, liver cirrhosis and inflammatory bowel disease. Fibrogenesis and Tissue Repair features high-quality studies providing novel insights into the mechanisms, diagnosis and treatment of these and related diseases. It aims to help fill the gap in communication that exists between scientists working in different subspecialties of experimental and clinical medicine and to allow them to rapidly exchange ideas and work on common targets.

Pinzani said, "It is truly exciting to launch an online journal covering the extremely relevant area of tissue fibrosis and repair. The opportunity to address key issues in this area of biology and medicine with a sound inter-disciplinary philosophy will certainly lead to a better communication and, hopefully constructive collaborative efforts, between basic scientists and clinicians involved in the study and the cure of chronic fibrogenic disorders."