develops from fibroblast mesothelial cell mesothelial fibroblast A mesothelial cell that has undergone mesothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (MMT) to become a fibroblast cell. https://cellxgene.cziscience.com/cellguide/CL_4023054 Mesothelial fibroblasts primarily originate from mesothelial cells, which form a protective layer known as mesothelium covering certain internal organs such as the heart, lungs, and abdominal cavity. Functionally, mesothelial fibroblasts excel in their capacity to synthesize and secrete extracellular matrix (ECM), a complex network of proteins that provides structural and biochemical support to surrounding cells. The ECM produced by mesothelial fibroblasts acts as a scaffold for tissue growth and remodeling, which is particularly important in wound healing and tissue repair processes. Additionally, these cells participate in immune response modulation within the mesothelium layer, interacting with various immune cells and mediating inflammatory processes. However, in certain diseases like fibrosis, these cells can excessively proliferate and produce ECM, leading to tissue thickening and organ malfunction. They also play a role in the progression of mesothelioma, a type of cancer that affects the mesothelium. (This extended description was generated by ChatGPT and reviewed by the CellGuide team, who added references, and by the CL editors, who approved it for inclusion in CL. It may contain information that applies only to some subtypes and species, and so should not be considered definitional.)