The immunopathogenesis of fibrosis

Ihnatovich T.V., Zafranskaya M.M.

Belarusian Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education, Minsk, Belarus
International Sakharov Environmental Institute of Belarusian State University, Minsk, Belarus

Fibrosis is a complex of histological changes in the tissue that are formed as a result of excessive synthesis and accumulation of the components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in response to damage. The progression of fibrosis leads to the replacement of functionally active cells by connective tissue and the formation of organ failure. No effective approaches towards fibrogenesis correction exist until now. The immunocompetent cells can be a potential therapeutic target in fibrosis of parenchymal organs. This review presents the current understanding of the role of the immune system in fibrogenesis with a focus on the features of immunopathogenesis and formation of fibrous tissue in the liver and kidneys.