The multiple roles of cardiac fibroblasts.
The cardiac fibroblasts are specifically positioned to contribute to the structural, biochemical, mechanical and electrical properties of normal heart (Camelliti P, Borg TK, 2005). First, the contribution of cardiac fibroblasts is absolutely essential in the synthesis and maintenance of extracellular matrix components, the three-dimensional framework that integrates the activity of individual cells to coordinate the contractile function of myocardium (Gaudesius G, Miragoli M 2003 - M. Eghbali, 1992 - Zeisberg EM, Tarnavski O, 2007 - Ng CP, Hinz B, 2005). The cardiac fibroblasts are also essential for other bodily functions determined by dynamic cell-cell interactions and cell-ECM and are essential for maintaining normal cardiac function. In this role, the fibroblasts respond to various mechanical and electrical stimuli, in addition to chemical stimuli such as hormones, growth factors and cytokines (Kohl et al., 2005).The cardiac fibroblasts are also a source of growth factors with paracrine activity (Akiyama-Uchida Y, Ashizawa N, 2004) and by themselves, sources of various cytokines and growth factors.
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Submitted by: Barallobre-Barreiro J, Spain