Mechanisms of cardiac collagen deposition in experimental models and human disease.

Mechanisms of cardiac collagen deposition in experimental models and human disease. Transl Res. 2019 Mar 26;: Authors: Cowling RT, Kupsky D, Kahn AM, Daniels LB, Greenberg BH Abstract The inappropriate deposition of extracellular matrix within the heart (termed cardiac fibrosis) is associated with nearly all types of heart disease, including ischemic, hypertensive, diabetic, and valvular. This alteration in the composition of the myocardium can physically limit cardiomyocyte contractility and relaxation, impede electrical conductivity, and hamper regional nutrient diffusion. Fibrosis can be grossly divided into 2 types, namely reparative (where collagen deposition replaces damaged myocardium) and reactive (where typically diffuse collagen deposition occurs without myocardial damage). Despite the widespread association of fibrosis with heart disease and general understanding of its negative impact on heart physiology, it is still not clear when collagen deposition becomes pathologic and translates into disease symptoms. In this review, we have summarized the current knowledge of cardiac fibrosis in human patients and experimental animal models, discussing the mechanisms that have been deduced from the latter in relation to the former. Because assessment of the extent of fibrosis is paramount both as a research tool to further understanding and as a clinical tool to assess patients, we have also summarized the current state of noninvas...
Source: Translational Research : the journal of laboratory and clinical medicine - Category: Laboratory Medicine Authors: Tags: Transl Res Source Type: research