Cyclic mechanical stretch reduces myofibroblast differentiation of primary lung fibroblasts

In lung fibrosis tissue architecture and function is severely hampered by myofibroblasts due to excessive deposition of extracellular matrix and tissue contraction. Myofibroblasts differentiate from fibroblasts under the influence of transforming growth factor (TGF) β₁ but this process is also controlled mechanically by cytoskeletal...