Pro-fibrotic cytokines

Pro-fibrotic cytokines are signalling molecules that promote the formation of fibrous tissue in response to injury or inflammation, playing a crucial role in the pathogenesis of fibrosis across various organs. Their clinical significance lies in their contribution to chronic diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis and liver cirrhosis, where excessive tissue scarring can lead to organ dysfunction. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) is a key example, often implicated in these fibrotic processes.