Inhibition of collagen fibril formation

BACKGROUND: The overall aim of presented study is to test the inhibition of the formation of collagen fibrils as the novel approach to reduce accumulation of pathological fibrotic deposits. The main hypothesis is that by interfering with the initial steps of the extracellular process of collagen fibril formation, it is possible to reduce the formation of fibrotic tissue. METHODS: The experimental model includes antibody-based inhibitors that specifically bind to the sites that participate in the collagen/collagen interaction. RESULTS: Employed antibody-based inhibitors effectively limit the amount of collagen fibrils formed in vitro and in engineered tissue models of localized fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS: (i) Inhibition of collagen formation is an attractive target to reduce excessive formation of fibrotic tissue. (ii) Antibody-based inhibitors of collagen fibril formation are promising therapeutic agents with a potential to limit localized fibrosis in a number of tissues.