Research Project Outline
Chronic inflammation associated-organ fibrosis causes serious functional impairment. In this project, we will examine the source of the myofibroblasts that play a key role in organ fibrosis. The regulation of the trafficking and differentiation of these cells by chemokines and other inflammatory mediators will be analyzed. In addition, we will clarify the changes in the epigenome and transcriptome that accompany fibrosis. Based on the information obtained from these studies, by conducting experiments in murine fibrotic disease models, and by testing human clinical samples, we aim to develop novel approaches for the prevention and treatment of human fibrotic diseases.