Fibroblast-to-Myofibroblast Transition (FMT) Assay

In-vitro assessment of Fibroblast-to-Myofibroblast transition (FMT).

Newcells offers a high-throughput, fast and reliable FMT -assay service to evaluate the efficacy of anti-fibrotic compounds. Our customizable, high-content imaging based assay, is well suited to screening therapeutics targeting fibrosis.

In fibrotic conditions, normal repair processes become defective. Repetitive cellular microinjuries and a heightened immune response leads to chronic activation of resident fibroblasts. When activated, these fibroblasts transition through a pre-activated state to a fully-activated state, a process known as fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition (FMT). Myofibroblasts show an increased synthesis and secretion of extracellular matrix proteins (ECM), such as collagen I. This excessive ECM deposition within the lung parenchyma leads to progressive scarring, increased lung stiffness and a loss of lung function.

Newcells have developed a high-throughput FMT-assay for the study of lung fibroblast activation and collagen production following stimulation with the well-established fibrotic mediator, TGF-β. Our assay set-up allows for testing of small molecules and biologics, assessing their ability to prevent fibroblast activation and ECM deposition across multiple concentrations. Using duplexed detection and collagen I expression. Our FMT-assay enhances the understanding of compound efficacy to advance drug-discovery programs.

Service outputs

• Cell number
• Proliferation capacity (EdU incorporation)
• Quantification of collagen I expression and deposition
• Quantification of α-SMA expression