Fibroblast proliferation is stimulated by?: (A) TGF-β, (B) IFN-γ, (C) TNF-α, (D) IL-10
Answer is A. “TFG-β is practically always involved as an important fibrogenic agent” - Robbins
• The most important fibrogenic mediator (causing fibrosis) is transforming growth factor- β. It induces the proliferation of fibroblasts, endothelial cells and specialized fibrogenic cells. It is chemotactic for fibroblasts, neutrophils, macrophages, lymphocytes and smooth muscle cells.