fig5

Figure 5. (A) After normal injury such as penetration, blunt trauma, etc., a variety of cytokines (represented by the different colored dots) are released in a spatial concentration and temporal gradient, signaling cells in the immediate vicinity and attracting more distant cells. The multitude of signals elicits various responses from different cells orchestrating a balanced healing response that starts with inflammation, and progresses through regeneration and finally remodeling; (B) After Radiation injury, the L-TGF-β complex, which is widely distributed throughout the tissue matrix, is uncoupled and activated. Thus, the predominant cytokine signal is that of TGF-β (represented by the color blue). The cells and tissues in a radiated field are then driven to express TGF-β and culminate in specific cellular and tissue outcomes (Hypo cellularity, abundant fibroblast and myofibroblast populations, dense fibrosis, and blood vessel abnormalities).