Research.
Every peer-reviewed study on fascia in one place — graded for strength of evidence, summarised in plain language for clinicians, researchers, and curious readers.
We grade studies from A to 1A+++ using the Fascia Research Database rubric — 1A+++ is the strongest.
Researchers behind the studies- A2012
A RHAMM Mimetic Peptide Blocks Hyaluronan Signaling and Reduces Inflammation and Fibrogenesis in Excisional Skin Wounds
Cornelia Tolg, Sara R Hamilton, Ewa Zalinska, Lori McCulloch, Ripal Amin, Natalia Akentieva, Francoise Winnik, Rashmin…In this animal study, researchers investigated how to reduce scarring during skin wound healing. They developed a peptide, P15-1, designed to interfere with signals from fragmented hyaluronan, a molecule involved in inf…
hyaluronaninflammationfasciaextracellular matrixfibrosis - A2011
ExtracellularMatrix Degradation and Remodeling in Development and Disease
Pengfei Lu, Ken Takai, Valerie M Weaver, Zena WerbIn this review, the authors describe the extracellular matrix (ECM) as a dynamic structure that is constantly being remodeled. This process of breakdown and rebuilding is essential for normal bodily functions like tissu…
fasciaextracellular matrixmatrix remodeling - A2011
Remodeling and homeostasis of the extracellular matrix: implications for fibrotic diseases and cancer
Thomas R Cox, Janine T ErlerIn this perspective article, the authors discuss how the extracellular matrix (ECM) is constantly being remodeled, a process essential for normal bodily functions like wound healing and tissue maintenance. When this rem…
fasciaextracellular matrixcancerfibrosisstiffness - A2011
Hyaluronan in intestinal homeostasis and inflammation: implications for fibrosis
Carol A de la MotteThis narrative review explores the role of hyaluronan (HA) in intestinal health and disease. Chronic intestinal inflammation can lead to fibrosis, or scarring, a process driven by inflammatory signals and specialized ce…
hafasciaextracellular matrixfibrosismesenchymal cells - A2009
From mechanotransduction to extracellular matrix gene expression in fibroblasts
Matthias Chiquet, Laurent Gelman, Roman Lutz, Silke MaierThis 2009 review article explores how connective tissue cells, or fibroblasts, sense and respond to mechanical forces from their environment. Cells attach to the surrounding extracellular matrix via adhesion contacts, w…
fasciaextracellular matrixfibroblastcytoskeletonmechanotransduction - A2009
Mechanotransduction at a distance: mechanically coupling the extracellular matrix with the nucleus
Ning Wang, Jessica D Tytell, Donald E IngberIn this narrative review, the authors explore how mechanical forces can influence the cell nucleus from a distance. Research has often focused on how external forces are converted into chemical signals at the cell's sur…
fasciaextracellular matrixcytoskeletonmechanotransductioncell nucleus - A2008
Tensegrity-Based Mechanosensing from Macro to Micro
Donald E IngberThis review article, based on a lecture, explores how cells convert mechanical signals into biochemical responses. The author proposes that the body uses "tensegrity" (tensional integrity) principles, where interconnect…
fasciaextracellular matrixTensegritycytoskeletonmechanotransduction - A2008
Can cancer be reversed by engineering the tumor microenvironment?
Donald E IngberIn this perspective article, the author proposes a different way of looking at cancer. Instead of focusing solely on genetic mutations, he argues that the physical environment around a tumor, particularly the extracellu…
fasciaextracellular matrixmechanicalcytoskeletonstroma - A2008
Differential effects of hyaluronan and its fragments on fibroblasts: Relation to wound healing
Maha David-Raoudi, Frederic Tranchepain, Brigitte Deschrevel, Jean-Claude Vincent, Patrick Bogdanowicz, Karim Boumedien…This lab study investigated how hyaluronan (HA) of different molecular sizes affects human fibroblast cells, which are key to wound healing. Researchers exposed fibroblasts to native HA and two smaller fragments. All th…
hyaluronanfasciawound healingextracellular matrixfibrosis - A2007
Extracellular matrix, mechanotransduction and structural hierarchies in heart tissue engineering
Kevin K Parker, Donald E IngberThis narrative review explores the challenges of engineering artificial heart tissue. The heart functions across vast scales of time and space, from tiny ion channels to the whole organ's pumping action. The authors sug…
fasciaextracellular matrixcytoskeletonmechanotransductionmyocardial cell - A2007
Formation and Function of the Myofibroblast during Tissue Repair
Boris HinzMyofibroblasts are specialized cells that play a key role in wound healing and tissue repair. Formed from fibroblasts, their primary function is to contract, which helps pull the edges of a wound together. While this is…
fasciaextracellular matrixfibrosisMyofibroblastwound healing TGF-beta - B2006
Hyaluronan fragments: An information-rich system
Robert Stern, Akira A Asari, Kazuki N SugaharaThis narrative review explores the diverse roles of hyaluronan (HA), a key component of the extracellular matrix. Despite its simple chemical structure, HA's biological function changes dramatically and often opposition…
hyaluronanextracellular matrixglycosaminoglycanshyaluronidaseOligosaccharides