Identification and isolation of a dermal lineage with intrinsic fibrogenic potential

Fibroblasts in fibrosis Excess fibrous connective tissue, similar to scarring, forms during the repair of injuries. Fibroblasts are known to be involved, but their role is poorly characterized. Rinkevich et al. identify two lineages of dermal fibroblasts in the dorsal skin of mice (see the Perspective by Sennett and Rendl). A fibrogenic lineage, defined by embryonic expression of Engrailed-1 , plays a central role in dermal development, wound healing, radiation-induced fibrosis, and cancer stroma formation. Targeted inhibition of this lineage results in reduced melanoma growth and scar formation, with no effect on the structural integrity of the healed skin, thus indicating therapeutic approaches for treating fibrotic disease. Science , this issue 10.1126/science.aaa2151 ; see also p. 284