Fibroblast

Fibroblasts are movable, occurring in the connective tissue cells of mesenchymal origin that are unable to move after maturation to fibrocytes. They play an important role in the synthesis of the intercellular substance of the extracellular matrix. Among the products of fibroblasts mainly include the collagen, which, together with the proteoglycans also formed for increased strength of the extracellular matrix.

Damage to the tissue stimulates the proliferation of fibroblasts and increases the release of cytokines, which act turn enhance the repair of the injury.

Characteristics:

• Many irregular cytoplasmic processes (these connect the fibroblasts with each other )
• Bright, oval nucleus with a distinct nucleolus
• Much ( rough ) ER and well-developed Golgi apparatus

Fibroblasts synthesize:

• Procollagen
• Collagenase ( Enzyme responsible for the physiological degradation of collagen )