Hello Rashed Azami

Cardiac fibrosis is the imbalance of extracellular matrix (ECM) production and degradation, thus contributing to cardiac dysfunction. The cardiac fibroblast is the most abundant cell type present in the myocardium and is mainly responsible for the deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM). Important components of cardiac ECM include structural and adhesive proteins such as collagen and fibronectin. Excess deposition of cardiac ECM (fibrosis) has been associated with the pathophysiological mechanical overload of the heart.

Cardiac fibroblasts express ECM receptors (integrins) which couple mechanical stimuli to functional responses. Mechanical stimulation of cardiac fibroblasts has been shown to result in activation of various signal transduction pathways. The application of defined mechanical stimuli to cultured cardiac fibroblasts has been associated with ECM gene expression, growth factor production, release and/or bioactivity as well as collagenase activity. Ultimately, for fibrosis to develop the overproduction of ECM must overcome any associated increases in collagenase activity.

For more information on cardiac fibrosis and the ECM you may refer to the paper attached below.

https://academic.oup.com/cardiovascres/article/46/2/257/417204

Best.

Thanks Mr. @Malcolm Nobre

Fantastic, I am vary thnakfull because of your massage.

Rashed Azami you're welcome.

Cardiac fibrosis is associated with ECM disruption. MMPs ( metalloproteases ) play a major role in C-ECM remodeling. C-ECM remodeling is mainly controlled by matrix MMPs belonging to a large family of zinc-dependent peptides that degrade almost all C-ECM components in both physiological and pathological conditions. TGFb/Smad can trigger cardiac fibrosis and increase IL-6 levels. If you wanna study cardiac fibrosis you can induce cardiac fibrosis by Angiotensin II infusion. You can also observe a decrease in alpha SMA and collagen 2 and 3. Another really helpful tool for studying cardiac fibrosis and C-ECM remodeling are the collagen hybridizing peptides. I hope you find this helpful!!!

For more information about inducing cardiac fibrosis and studying C-ECM, you may refer to the papers attached below.

Article Macrophage-Stimulated Cardiac Fibroblast Production of IL-6 ...

Article The expression of MMP-1 and MMP-9 is up-regulated by smooth ...

Thanks a لوت.