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Isolation and Characterization of Adult Cardiac Fibroblasts and Myofibroblasts
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Isolation and Characterization of Adult Cardiac Fibroblasts and Myofibroblasts

Published on: March 12, 2020

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Emerging roles of fibroblasts in cardiovascular calcification

Wudi Li1, Sheng-An Su1, Jian Chen1

  • 1Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.

Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine
|December 28, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Cardiovascular calcification involves complex processes where fibroblasts may play a key role. Further research is needed to understand fibroblast contributions and identify therapeutic targets for calcification.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Biology
  • Cellular Biology
  • Pathophysiology

Background:

  • Cardiovascular calcification, a process of ectopic mineralization, is linked to poor prognosis.
  • While smooth muscle cells are implicated, the cellular origins of cardiovascular calcification remain unclear.
  • Fibroblasts exhibit phenotypic plasticity and are increasingly recognized for their role in cardiovascular calcification.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current knowledge on fibroblast phenotypes in cardiovascular calcification.
  • To evaluate potential therapeutic targets for controlling fibroblast phenotypic transition.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on cardiovascular calcification and fibroblast biology.
  • Analysis of fibroblast roles in vascular, valve, and cardiac calcification.
  • Identification of knowledge gaps, including lineage-tracing and marker studies.

Main Results:

  • Fibroblasts display diverse phenotypes within calcified cardiovascular tissues.
  • Understanding fibroblast phenotypic switching is crucial but incomplete.
  • Lack of definitive markers and lineage studies complicates assessment of fibroblast contributions.

Conclusions:

  • Fibroblasts are significant contributors to cardiovascular calcification.
  • Further investigation into fibroblast phenotypes and regulatory mechanisms is warranted.
  • Targeting fibroblast phenotypic transition may offer novel therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular calcification.

Keywords:
calcificationfibroblastsheartvalvevasculature

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