Go to The Journal of Clinical Investigation
  • About
  • Editors
  • Consulting Editors
  • For authors
  • Publication ethics
  • Publication alerts by email
  • Transfers
  • Advertising
  • Job board
  • Contact
  • Physician-Scientist Development
  • Current issue
  • Past issues
  • By specialty
    • COVID-19
    • Cardiology
    • Immunology
    • Metabolism
    • Nephrology
    • Oncology
    • Pulmonology
    • All ...
  • Videos
  • Collections
    • In-Press Preview
    • Resource and Technical Advances
    • Clinical Research and Public Health
    • Research Letters
    • Editorials
    • Perspectives
    • Physician-Scientist Development
    • Reviews
    • Top read articles

  • Current issue
  • Past issues
  • Specialties
  • In-Press Preview
  • Resource and Technical Advances
  • Clinical Research and Public Health
  • Research Letters
  • Editorials
  • Perspectives
  • Physician-Scientist Development
  • Reviews
  • Top read articles
  • About
  • Editors
  • Consulting Editors
  • For authors
  • Publication ethics
  • Publication alerts by email
  • Transfers
  • Advertising
  • Job board
  • Contact
The inflammatory/fibrotic axis across organs: myelofibrosis as a model of reversibility
Lucas Greven, Stijn N.R. Fuchs, Hélène F.E. Gleitz, Rebekka K. Schneider
Lucas Greven, Stijn N.R. Fuchs, Hélène F.E. Gleitz, Rebekka K. Schneider
View: Text | PDF
Review

The inflammatory/fibrotic axis across organs: myelofibrosis as a model of reversibility

  • Text
  • PDF
Abstract

Fibrosis affects almost all organ systems, resulting in a dysfunctional extracellular matrix that impairs function and can lead to failure. Crosstalk between immune cells and the stromal environment exacerbates fibrosis in all organs and is an attractive therapeutic target. Here, we discuss recent findings regarding the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie inflammation and fibrosis across organs. We focus on how reciprocal immune/stromal signaling maintains fibrotic niches, outline strategies for therapeutic intervention beyond current antifibrotic agents, and highlight the bone marrow fibrotic disease myelofibrosis as a model for understanding, and ultimately reversing, fibrosis in human disease.

Authors

Lucas Greven, Stijn N.R. Fuchs, Hélène F.E. Gleitz, Rebekka K. Schneider

×

Figure 3

The regenerative reset of BM fibrosis following allo-HSCT.

Options: View larger image (or click on image) Download as PowerPoint
The regenerative reset of BM fibrosis following allo-HSCT.
The pathologi...
The pathologically altered bone marrow (BM) niche in BM fibrosis is induced by injury in the form of a malignant hematopoietic clone causing high concentrations of inflammatory cytokines that activate macrophages (and megakaryocytes) into a profibrotic state. This induces the fibrotic transformation of stromal cells and ECM deposition over time. Following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), a sequential transition occurs: the elimination of the malignant clone (the injury stimulus) leads to a rapid decline in inflammatory signaling, which triggers the normalization of macrophages toward a homeostatic state and facilitates the enzymatic remodeling of the fibrotic matrix. This “regenerative reset” culminates in a restored niche where donor-derived hematopoietic and immune cells maintain balanced signaling, allowing stromal cells to revert to a quiescent phenotype or be replaced by healthy niche cells. This natural experiment demonstrates that removing the initiating driver and reprogramming the immune microenvironment can drive the transition from advanced fibrosis back toward tissue homeostasis.

Copyright © 2026 American Society for Clinical Investigation
ISSN 2379-3708

Sign up for email alerts