Gene expression in fibroblasts and fibrosis: involvement in cardiac hypertrophy

I Manabe, T Shindo, R Nagai - Circulation research, 2002 - Am Heart Assoc
I Manabe, T Shindo, R Nagai
Circulation research, 2002Am Heart Assoc
Structural remodeling of the ventricular wall is a key determinant of clinical outcome in heart
disease. Such remodeling involves the production and destruction of extracellular matrix
proteins, cell proliferation and migration, and apoptotic and necrotic cell death. Cardiac
fibroblasts are crucially involved in these processes, producing growth factors and cytokines
that act as autocrine and paracrine factors, as well as extracellular matrix proteins and
proteinases. Recent studies have shown that the interactions between cardiac fibroblasts …
Structural remodeling of the ventricular wall is a key determinant of clinical outcome in heart disease. Such remodeling involves the production and destruction of extracellular matrix proteins, cell proliferation and migration, and apoptotic and necrotic cell death. Cardiac fibroblasts are crucially involved in these processes, producing growth factors and cytokines that act as autocrine and paracrine factors, as well as extracellular matrix proteins and proteinases. Recent studies have shown that the interactions between cardiac fibroblasts and cardiomyocytes are essential for the progression of cardiac remodeling. This review addresses the functional role played by cardiac fibroblasts and the molecular mechanisms that govern their activity during cardiac hypertrophy and remodeling. A particular focus is the recent progress toward our understanding of the transcriptional regulatory mechanisms involved.
Am Heart Assoc