fibroblast

noun fi·bro·blast \ ˈfī-brə-ˌblast , ˈfi- \

|Updated on: 5 May 2018

Definition of fibroblast

: a connective-tissue cell of mesenchymal origin that secretes proteins and especially molecular collagen from which the extracellular fibrillar matrix of connective tissue forms

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fibroblastic

play \ˌfī-brə-ˈbla-stik, ˌfi-\ adjective

Recent Examples of fibroblast from the Web

With just a small amount of skin cells called fibroblasts, scientists can grow these so-called induced pluripotent stem cells, then direct them to form human brain tissue.

— bradley j. fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Salk researchers build better mini-brains to study neurological diseases," 25 Apr. 2018
Using methods that start with tissue cells called fibroblasts, researchers can engineer stem cells, which are cells capable of becoming any kind of body cell.

— stephanie pappas, Scientific American, "Northern White Rhinos Are About to Die Out. Should We Save Them?," 13 Mar. 2018
For years, researchers suspected that tattoos worked by permanently staining fibroblasts, the cells that synthesize collagen, under the surface of our skin.

— steph yin, New York Times, "The Cells That Eat, Regurgitate and Eat Your Tattoos Again," 6 Mar. 2018
The antibodies also make matters worse by attaching to receptors on the macrophages, which in response spit out transforming growth factor β, an immune messenger that activates collagen-producing fibroblasts, leading to fibrosis of tissues.

— jon cohen, Science | AAAS, "A stem cell transplant helped beat back a young doctor’s cancer. Now, it’s assaulting his body," 12 July 2017
But by secreting these inhibitory proteins, the fibroblasts actually induce a repair mechanism that encourages the nerve cells to grow.

— kristen philipkoski, WIRED, "Gold Medal for Nerve Cell Growers," 23 Jan. 2002

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fibroblast.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of fibroblast

International Scientific Vocabulary

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1876

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

fibroblast

noun fi·bro·blast \ ˈfīb-rə-ˌblast also ˈfib- \

medical Definition of fibroblast

: a connective-tissue cell of mesenchymal origin that secretes proteins and especially molecular collagen from which the extracellular fibrillar matrix of connective tissue forms

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