Tissue Maintenance and Repair
Fibroblasts are the most common cells in the body. Their main function is to repair and maintain the connective tissue. Most of the body’s energy is used to perform this activity. Fibroblasts make collagen, contributing it to the extracellular matrix. Thus we are constantly building and rebuilding the tissue that provides structure, connectivity, protection and function to our entire body. When an injury or infection occurs fibroblasts stop making collagen, change shape and travel to the area of injury. Once there they release inflammatory products, destroying damaged tissue so that it can be picked up by other cells and removed from the area. When this is accomplished they switch back to making collagen and repair the area of damage. When this task is finished fibroblasts migrate back to where they came from and return to their normal shape and function.
