Compositions and methods for detecting and treating pathological fibroblast cells

Abstract

Compositions, kits and methods for assessing the presence of pathological fibroblasts within a biological sample are provided. In addition, compositions, kits and methods for detecting fibrosis are provided. Also provided are methods for treating fibrosis and conditions characterized with pathological fibroblasts.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of characterizing a sample, the method comprising:
 a) assaying for the presence of fibroblast cells expressing pro-N-cadherin in a sample obtained from a subject; and   b) characterizing the sample as i) having pathological fibroblast cells if the presence of fibroblast cells expressing pro-N-cadherin are detected in the assaying step, or ii) not having pathological fibroblast cells if the presence of fibroblast cells expressing pro-N-cadherin are not detected in the assaying step.