title: Influence of mechanical stress on fibroblast-myocyte interactions in mammalian heart.
abstract: Cardiac fibroblasts are an essential component of cardiac tissue. These cells not only produce the extracellular matrix, but also are electrically and mechanically coupled with cardiomyocytes. In this way, fibroblasts can influence the electrical activity of cardiomyocytes. Cardiac fibroblasts cannot generate action potentials, but their membrane potential is controlled by mechanical stretch or compression of the surrounding myocardium which in turn affects their interaction with myocytes and the way myocytes respond to mechanical stress. This review discusses the electrical properties of cardiac fibroblasts, the present evidence of fibroblast-myocyte coupling and the way in which these cells respond to mechanical stress. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "Myocyte-Fibroblast Signalling in Myocardium."
authors.affiliation: Department of Fundamental and Applied Physiology, Russian National Research Medical University, Ostrovityanova str., 1, Moscow, Russia; Department of Human and Animal Physiology, Moscow State University, Leninskiye Gory, 1, 12, Moscow, Russia. Electronic address: abram340@mail.ru.
authors.forename: Denis V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Abramochkin
authors.affiliation: Department of Fundamental and Applied Physiology, Russian National Research Medical University, Ostrovityanova str., 1, Moscow, Russia.
authors.forename: Ilya T
authors.initials: IT
authors.lastname: Lozinsky
authors.affiliation: Department of Fundamental and Applied Physiology, Russian National Research Medical University, Ostrovityanova str., 1, Moscow, Russia.
authors.forename: Andre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kamkin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D040542:Mechanotransduction, Cellular; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009206:Myocardium / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D032383:Myocytes, Cardiac / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D013314:Stress, Mechanical
keywords: Fibroblast; Heart; Ionic current; Mechanosensitive channels; Stretch