What is the Significance of Fibroblast Foci in Disease?
The presence of fibroblast foci is a hallmark of fibrosis. In diseases like IPF, these foci are thought to be the sites of active fibrogenesis, where fibroblasts proliferate and produce excessive amounts of extracellular matrix components, leading to tissue stiffening and impaired function. The number and size of fibroblast foci can correlate with disease severity and progression.