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Updated: Aug 19, 2026

Scanning Electron Microscopy of Macerated Tissue to Visualize the Extracellular Matrix
Published on: June 14, 2016
The extracellular matrix in the failing human heart
1Max-Planck-Institute, Department of Experimental Cardiology, Bad Nauheim, FRG.
Abstract:
The composition of the extracellular matrix was investigated in eight human hearts explanted at the time of transplantation surgery because of endstage cardiomyopathy. All patients showed clinical signs of heart failure. The tissue was investigated by electron microscopy and immunofluorescence microscopy using monoclonal antibodies against collagen I, III, VI, and IV, fibronectin, laminin, and vimentin. All matrix proteins occurred in increased amounts in the extracellular space separating the myocardial cells by septa of enlarged thickness. Laminin and collagen IV surrounded myocardial and endothelial cells as layers of increased thickness. Vimentin localization was normal in individual cells, but occurred more often and corresponded to the numerous fibroblasts as observed by electron microscopy. It is concluded that an excessive deposition of extracellular matrix material in addition to myocyte degeneration (as reported previously (9)) are the structural correlates of cardiac failure.
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