Tannic acid modulates epithelial to mesenchymal transition and fibroblast differentiation in response to pro fibrotic stimuli

Abstract

Tissue fibrosis often culminates in organ dysfunction and contributes to the major morbidity and mortality worldwide Fibrosis is characterized by chronic inflammation excessive proliferation and accumulation of activated fibroblasts Myofibroblasts which results in the abnormal deposition of collagen and other matrix components leading to scar tissue formation Myofibroblasts are the primary responsible for the fibrotic tissue which possess enhanced fibrotic contractile and migratory activities In the normal wound healing process, myofibroblasts are transiently present at the wound site and disappear following wound healing However in pathological fibrosis myofibroblasts persist and produce excessive levels of extracellular matrix ECM that progressively remodel and destroy normal tissue architecture The transforming growth factor and#946;1 TGF and#946;1 induced Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition EMT and fibroblast differentiation are thought to be the possible sources for a substantial increase in the number of myofibroblasts Tannic acid TA a natural dietary polyphenolic compound has been shown to possess diverse pharmacological effects However whether TA can inhibit TGF and#946;1 mediated EMT and fibroblast differentiation remains enigmatic newline