title: Searching for new mechanisms of myocardial fibrosis with diagnostic and/or therapeutic potential.
abstract: Myocardial fibrosis is the result of excessive fibrillar collagen synthesis and deposition without reciprocally balanced degradation. It causes cardiac dysfunction, arrhythmias, and ischaemia, and thereby determines the clinical course and outcome of cardiac patients even when adequately treated. Therefore, further research is needed to identify and better understand the factors that trigger and maintain the myocardial fibrotic response against different injuries in a variety of cardiac diseases. Here, we will focus on the following major areas of research: molecules that stimulate the differentiation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts and subsequently alter collagen turnover (e.g. cardiotrophin-1, galectin-3, NADPH oxidases, and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin), microRNA-induced alterations of collagen gene expression, and matricellular protein- and lysyl oxidase-mediated alterations of collagen cross-linking and deposition.
authors.affiliation: Maastricht University Medical Centre, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Maastricht University, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Stephane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Heymans
authors.affiliation: Program of Cardiovascular Diseases, Center for Applied Medical Research-FIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.|Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain.
authors.forename: Arantxa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: González
authors.affiliation: UMRS U1116 Inserm, CIC 1433, Pierre Drouin, CHU, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pizard
authors.affiliation: Maastricht University Medical Centre, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Maastricht University, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Anna P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Papageorgiou
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain.|Navarra biomed-Miguel Servet Foundation, Pamplona, Spain.
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: López-Andrés
authors.affiliation: Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Inserm U1138, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Frédéric
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jaisser
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies (IMTTS), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Thum
authors.affiliation: UMRS U1116 Inserm, CIC 1433, Pierre Drouin, CHU, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France.
authors.forename: Faiez
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zannad
authors.affiliation: Program of Cardiovascular Diseases, Center for Applied Medical Research-FIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.|Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain.|Department of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery, University Clinic, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Díez
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D055511:CCN Intercellular Signaling Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D003094:Collagen / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000473:pathology; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000473:pathology; D037502:Galectin 3 / Q000502:physiology; D015870:Gene Expression; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000032:analysis; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology*; D019255:NADPH Oxidases / Q000502:physiology; D008249:Protein-Lysine 6-Oxidase / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D055511:CCN Intercellular Signaling Proteins; D016207:Cytokines; D037502:Galectin 3; D035683:MicroRNAs; D003094:Collagen; C092073:cardiotrophin 1; D008249:Protein-Lysine 6-Oxidase; D019255:NADPH Oxidases
keywords: Heart failure; Interstitial fibrosis; Therapeutic targets