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Author Spotlight: Studying Cardiac Cell-Matrix Interactions In Vitro
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Author Spotlight: Studying Cardiac Cell-Matrix Interactions In Vitro

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Calreticulin promotes proliferation and extracellular matrix expression through Notch pathway in cardiac fibroblasts

Xiaoying Fan1, Yuan Yao1, Yao Zhang1

  • 1Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, China.

Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine : Official Organ Wroclaw Medical University
|June 29, 2018
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Calreticulin (CRT) overexpression in human cardiac fibroblasts increases cell viability and invasiveness, promoting cardiac fibrosis. This suggests CRT plays a key role in cardiac disease development.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Cardiac fibrosis is a major contributor to various heart diseases.
  • Calreticulin (CRT) is implicated in cardiac pathologies, with its expression levels affecting disease severity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of Calreticulin (CRT) on cardiac fibrosis.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying CRT's role in cardiac fibrosis.

Main Methods:

  • Human cardiac fibroblast cells (HCF) were transfected with CRT expression vectors or siRNA.
  • Cell viability, apoptosis, and invasion assays were conducted.
  • Gene and protein expression levels were analyzed using qRT-PCR and Western blot.

Main Results:

  • CRT overexpression significantly increased HCF viability and invasiveness while decreasing apoptosis.
  • CRT overexpression elevated collagen (I and III) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-2 and 9) levels.
  • The Notch pathway was activated by CRT overexpression and suppressed upon its reduction.

Conclusions:

  • CRT overexpression in HCF promotes fibrosis-associated characteristics like increased viability and invasiveness.
  • CRT's activation of the Notch pathway is a potential mechanism contributing to CRT-induced cardiac fibrosis.
Keywords:
Notch pathwaycalreticulincardiac fibroblastsextracellular matrixproliferation

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