title: Extracellular matrix-mediated cellular communication in the heart.
abstract: The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex and dynamic scaffold that maintains tissue structure and dynamics. However, the view of the ECM as an inert architectural support has been increasingly challenged. The ECM is a vibrant meshwork, a crucial organizer of cellular microenvironments. It plays a direct role in cellular interactions regulating cell growth, survival, spreading, proliferation, differentiation and migration through the intricate relationship among cellular and acellular tissue components. This complex interrelationship preserves cardiac function during homeostasis; however it is also responsible for pathologic remodeling following myocardial injury. Therefore, enhancing our understanding of this cross-talk may provide mechanistic insights into the pathogenesis of heart failure and suggest new approaches to novel, targeted pharmacologic therapies. This review explores the implications of ECM-cell interactions in myocardial cell behavior and cardiac function at baseline and following myocardial injury.
authors.affiliation: The Heart Institute, Molecular Cardiovascular Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
authors.forename: Iñigo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Valiente-Alandi
authors.affiliation: The Heart Institute, Molecular Cardiovascular Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
authors.forename: Allison E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Schafer
authors.affiliation: The Heart Institute, Molecular Cardiovascular Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA. Electronic address: burns.blaxall@cchmc.org.
authors.forename: Burns C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Blaxall
mesh_terms: D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002450:Cell Communication; D003094:Collagen / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005355:Fibrosis; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006335:Heart Injuries / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D032383:Myocytes, Cardiac / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D015676:Osteonectin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D053495:Osteopontin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D019063:Tenascin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019699:Thrombospondins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D005353:Fibronectins; D015676:Osteonectin; C512835:POSTN protein, human; C577241:SPARC protein, human; D019063:Tenascin; D019699:Thrombospondins; D053495:Osteopontin; D003094:Collagen
keywords: Cardiac remodeling; Extracellular matrix; Fibroblast; Fibrosis