Scarring is not limited to the skin but can occur in any organ as a result of injury, chronic conditions, or unhealthy habits. Excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, endometriosis, cardiovascular disease, and autoimmune disorders can all lead to scarring or fibrosis. While scar formation is an essential part of the wound healing process, excessive scarring can have severe consequences and contribute to nearly 20% of global deaths each year.
However, there are currently no drugs available to treat fibrosis, leaving scientists searching for new treatment approaches. Jacques Behmoaras, Deputy Director of the Center for Computational Biology, and Enrico Petretto, Systems Geneticist, both affiliated with Duke-NUS, were intrigued by the role of macrophages in scarring and wanted to determine if these immune cells shared any traits that could unlock new treatment possibilities.
Previous studies, including their own, had identified a particular molecule present in macrophages involved in fibrosis. However, instead of solely focusing on this molecule, they wanted to approach the question in an unbiased manner. The scientists embarked on one of the largest systematic studies of macrophages in fibrosis, using big data techniques to analyze publicly available single-cell sequencing datasets.
Using machine learning algorithms, the team identified and grouped macrophages from healthy and fibrotic organs, including the heart, lung, liver, kidney, skin, and endometrial tissue. The researchers found that the number of macrophages expressing SPP1 consistently increased in all fibrotic tissues.
Furthermore, the team discovered that the group of macrophages labeled as SPP+ could be divided into two potentially opposing camps. One camp promotes fibrosis by depositing structural scaffolding between cells during the early phases of injury, while the opposing camp dismantles the scaffolding after tissue healing.
While the study did not include muscle tissue, the researchers have prepared the protocol for future investigations. The team ensured that their analysis was reproducible and available to any interested scientists.
With the in-silico proof in hand, the researchers are now heading back to the lab to confirm their findings, starting with the kidneys. They also plan to investigate ways to boost the population of beneficial macrophages while suppressing the harmful ones, leading to the development of new therapies effective against fibrosis in any organ.
In addition to the potential for new treatments, understanding scarring can also shed light on the healing process itself. This knowledge can help researchers explore methods to enhance tissue regeneration and speed up healing.
Overall, this groundbreaking research provides insights into the role of macrophages in fibrosis and opens up new avenues for treating fibrotic diseases. By deciphering the ‘scarcode’ present across damaged organs, scientists can now work towards developing innovative therapies that target fibrosis regardless of the affected organ
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
Ravina Pandya, Content Writer, has a strong foothold in the market research industry. She specializes in writing well-researched articles from different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemical and materials, etc. With an MBA in E-commerce, she has an expertise in SEO-optimized content that resonates with industry professionals.