Extracellular matrix (ECM) is the foundation on which all cells and organs converge to orchestrate normal physiological functions. In the setting of pathology, the ECM is modified to incorporate additional roles, with modifications including turnover of existing ECM and deposition of new ECM. The fibroblast is center stage in coordinating both normal tissue homeostasis and response to disease. Understanding how fibroblasts work under normal conditions and are activated in response to injury or stress will provide mechanistic insight that triggers discovery of new therapeutic treatments for a wide range of disease. We highlight here fibroblast roles in the cancer, lung, and heart as example systems where fibroblasts are major contributors to homeostasis and pathology.

细胞外基质（ECM）是所有细胞和器官汇聚协调正常生理功能的基础。在病理学背景下，ECM 被修改以纳入额外的作用，修改包括现有 ECM 的更新和新 ECM 的沉积。成纤维细胞是协调正常组织稳态和疾病反应的中心。了解成纤维细胞在正常条件下如何工作以及如何响应损伤或压力而被激活，将提供机制见解，从而引发针对多种疾病的新治疗方法的发现。我们在此强调成纤维细胞在癌症、肺和心脏中的作用，作为示例系统，其中成纤维细胞是体内平衡和病理学的主要贡献者。