Usage Information
Abstract
Fibrosis remains a major driver of organ dysfunction, yet the metabolic programs that sustain extracellular matrix production are incompletely understood. In this issue of the JCI, Takizawa and colleagues identified branched-chain amino acid transaminase 1 (BCAT1) as a crucial metabolic regulator of fibroblast activation and fibrosis in a model of cardiac fibrosis. Their observations were corroborated by analyses of datasets from patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis. They report that by coupling mechanical and TGF-β signaling to a proline biosynthesis and utilization program, BCAT1 enhanced collagen production in activated cardiac fibroblasts. These findings place branched-chain amino acid metabolism as a pivotal contributor to fibroblast activation and highlight BCAT1 as a promising therapeutic target for fibrotic disease.
Authors
Marco Ronfini, John W. Elrod
Usage data is cumulative from September 2026 through October 2026.
| Usage | JCI | PMC |
|---|---|---|
| Text version | 1,474 | 21 |
| 387 | 6 | |
| Figure | 240 | 0 |
| Citation downloads | 198 | 0 |
| Totals | 2,299 | 27 |
| Total Views | 2,326 | |
Usage information is collected from two different sources: this site (JCI) and Pubmed Central (PMC). JCI information (compiled daily) shows human readership based on methods we employ to screen out robotic usage. PMC information (aggregated monthly) is also similarly screened of robotic usage.
Various methods are used to distinguish robotic usage. For example, Google automatically scans articles to add to its search index and identifies itself as robotic; other services might not clearly identify themselves as robotic, or they are new or unknown as robotic. Because this activity can be misinterpreted as human readership, data may be re-processed periodically to reflect an improved understanding of robotic activity. Because of these factors, readers should consider usage information illustrative but subject to change.
Copyright © 2026 American Society for Clinical Investigation
ISSN: 0021-9738 (print), 1558-8238 (online)