Abstract
Cardiac fibrosis is the pathological accumulation of cardiac extracellular matrix (ECM or matrix), which occurs in most types of heart disease. Major recent advances in our understanding have allowed us to identify cardiac fibrosis as a primary disease independent of either cardiomyocyte injury or loss. New developments within this field are burgeoning, including research that points to multiple sources for cardiac myofibroblasts participating in cardiovascular disease pathogenesis, the feasibility of bioengineered matrix tissues as well as the identification of novel targets to reduce the incidence and severity of cardiac fibrosis. A summary of the state of knowledge of the regulation of the function of fibroblasts as well as a synopsis of the current state of investigation to address the biology of cardiovascular fibroblasts, valvular interstitial cells (VICs), and myofibroblasts is warranted. This book will help to adapt the information that we have gathered in order to translate it into treatments for fibrotic cardiac diseases and thus alter the course of their progression.
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Dixon, I., Cunnington, R., Rattan, S., Wigle, J. (2015). Cardiac Fibrosis and Heart Failure—Cause or Effect?. In: Dixon, I., Wigle, J. (eds) Cardiac Fibrosis and Heart Failure: Cause or Effect?. Advances in Biochemistry in Health and Disease, vol 13. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-17437-2_1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-17437-2_1
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