The Immune Microenvironment: New Therapeutic Implications in Organ Fibrosis

Abstract Fibrosis, characterized by abnormal deposition of structural proteins, is a major cause of tissue dysfunction in chronic diseases. The disease burden associated with progressive fibrosis is substantial, and currently approved drugs are unable to effectively reverse it. Immune cells are incr...

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Main Authors: Xiangqi Chen, Chuan Wu, Fei Tang, Jingyue Zhou, Li Mo, Yanping Li, Jinhan He
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-08-01
Series:Advanced Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202505067
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author Xiangqi Chen
Chuan Wu
Fei Tang
Jingyue Zhou
Li Mo
Yanping Li
Jinhan He
author_facet Xiangqi Chen
Chuan Wu
Fei Tang
Jingyue Zhou
Li Mo
Yanping Li
Jinhan He
author_sort Xiangqi Chen
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Fibrosis, characterized by abnormal deposition of structural proteins, is a major cause of tissue dysfunction in chronic diseases. The disease burden associated with progressive fibrosis is substantial, and currently approved drugs are unable to effectively reverse it. Immune cells are increasingly recognized as crucial regulators in the pathological process of fibrosis by releasing effector molecules, such as cytokines, chemokines, extracellular vesicles, metabolites, proteases, or intercellular contact. Therefore, targeting the immune microenvironment can be a potential strategy for fibrosis reduction and reversion. This review summarizes the recent advances in the understanding of the immune microenvironment in fibrosis including phenotypic and functional transformations of immune cells and the interaction of immune cells with other cells. The novel opportunities for the discovery and development of drugs for immune microenvironment remodeling and their associated challenges are also discussed.
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issn 2198-3844
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spelling doaj-art-59aeba0ac9b148cbafac37e1e77cca172025-08-20T11:56:10ZengWileyAdvanced Science2198-38442025-08-011230n/an/a10.1002/advs.202505067The Immune Microenvironment: New Therapeutic Implications in Organ FibrosisXiangqi Chen0Chuan Wu1Fei Tang2Jingyue Zhou3Li Mo4Yanping Li5Jinhan He6Department of Pharmacy, Institute of Metabolic Diseases and Pharmacotherapy, West China Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu 610041 ChinaState Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu 610041 ChinaState Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu 610041 ChinaState Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu 610041 ChinaCenter of Gerontology and Geriatrics, West China Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu 610041 ChinaDepartment of Pharmacy, Institute of Metabolic Diseases and Pharmacotherapy, West China Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu 610041 ChinaDepartment of Pharmacy, Institute of Metabolic Diseases and Pharmacotherapy, West China Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu 610041 ChinaAbstract Fibrosis, characterized by abnormal deposition of structural proteins, is a major cause of tissue dysfunction in chronic diseases. The disease burden associated with progressive fibrosis is substantial, and currently approved drugs are unable to effectively reverse it. Immune cells are increasingly recognized as crucial regulators in the pathological process of fibrosis by releasing effector molecules, such as cytokines, chemokines, extracellular vesicles, metabolites, proteases, or intercellular contact. Therefore, targeting the immune microenvironment can be a potential strategy for fibrosis reduction and reversion. This review summarizes the recent advances in the understanding of the immune microenvironment in fibrosis including phenotypic and functional transformations of immune cells and the interaction of immune cells with other cells. The novel opportunities for the discovery and development of drugs for immune microenvironment remodeling and their associated challenges are also discussed.https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202505067immune microenvironmentorgan fibrosistherapeutic targets
spellingShingle Xiangqi Chen
Chuan Wu
Fei Tang
Jingyue Zhou
Li Mo
Yanping Li
Jinhan He
The Immune Microenvironment: New Therapeutic Implications in Organ Fibrosis
Advanced Science
immune microenvironment
organ fibrosis
therapeutic targets
title The Immune Microenvironment: New Therapeutic Implications in Organ Fibrosis
title_full The Immune Microenvironment: New Therapeutic Implications in Organ Fibrosis
title_fullStr The Immune Microenvironment: New Therapeutic Implications in Organ Fibrosis
title_full_unstemmed The Immune Microenvironment: New Therapeutic Implications in Organ Fibrosis
title_short The Immune Microenvironment: New Therapeutic Implications in Organ Fibrosis
title_sort immune microenvironment new therapeutic implications in organ fibrosis
topic immune microenvironment
organ fibrosis
therapeutic targets
url https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202505067
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