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 studiesA RHAMM Mimetic Peptide Blocks Hyaluronan Signaling and Reduces Inflammation and Fibrogenesis in Excisional Skin Wounds
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…
Elevated [11C]-D-Deprenyl Uptake in Chronic Whiplash Associated Disorder Suggests Persistent Musculoskeletal Inflammation
Diagnosing chronic whiplash-associated disorder (WAD) is often difficult, as standard structural imaging methods seldom show clear signs of injury. This study used Positron Emission Tomography (PET) with a tracer molecu…
Why does chronic inflammation persist: An unexpected role for fibroblasts
This 2011 review explores why chronic inflammation persists. Traditionally, research has focused on immune cells, but this text highlights the crucial role that stromal cells, particularly fibroblasts, play in sustainin…
Transcapillary exchange: role and importance of the interstitial fluid pressure and the extracellular matrix
This narrative review discusses how the extracellular matrix (ECM) and the pressure of its fluid (interstitial fluid pressure, or Pif) regulate fluid exchange with capillaries. Conventionally, this pressure is seen as a…
Edema and fluid dynamics in connective tissue remodelling
This review describes the role of loose connective tissues, focusing on fluid exchange across capillaries and the formation of edema (swelling). This process is relevant for conditions like inflammation, fibrosis (scarr…
Fibroblast-like synoviocytes: key effector cells in rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a complex disease involving multiple immune cells. This review highlights the crucial role of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS), cells in the joint lining that become unusually aggressive i…
Fascia: A missing link in our understanding of the pathology of fibromyalgia
This 2009 paper proposes that inflammation in the fascia, the body's connective tissue, could be a key source of the persistent pain signals that lead to central sensitization in fibromyalgia. While muscle tissue itself…
Hyaluronan (HA) Deposition Precedes and Promotes Leukocyte Recruitment in Intestinal Inflammation
Hyaluronan (HA) accumulation is common in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but whether it is a cause or an effect has been unclear. In this study using a mouse model and human tissue, researchers found that HA builds u…
The inflammatory response to cell death
This 2008 review article explores how the body responds when cells die from injury rather than infection. Such cell death triggers an inflammatory response that is essential for host defense and tissue repair. However,…
Hyaluronan in Tissue Injury and Repair
This 2007 review article explores the complex role of hyaluronan (HA), a component of the extracellular matrix, in tissue injury and repair. The authors describe how HA's function depends on its size: while the large, n…
Cytokines, Inflammation and Pain
This review chapter describes the role of cytokines—small proteins that cells use for communication—in inflammation and pain. The authors explain that there are both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory types of cytok…
A stromal address code defined by fibroblasts
This 2005 review article explores how immune cells (leukocytes) navigate within the body's tissues. The authors propose that fibroblasts create a "stromal address code" that acts as a local guidance system. This code di…