title: Structural and functional characterisation of cardiac fibroblasts.
abstract: Cardiac fibroblasts form one of the largest cell populations, in terms of cell numbers, in the heart. They contribute to structural, biochemical, mechanical and electrical properties of the myocardium. Nonetheless, they are often disregarded by in vivo and in vitro studies into cardiac function. This review summarizes our understanding of fibroblast origin and identity, their structural organization and role in myocardial architecture, as well as functional aspects related to cell signalling and electro-mechanical function in the heart.
authors.affiliation: University Laboratory of Physiology, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK.
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Camelliti
authors.forename: Thomas K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Borg
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kohl
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D009206:Myocardium / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology