Copyright © 2004, European Society of Cardiology
Structural and functional characterisation of cardiac fibroblasts
aUniversity Laboratory of Physiology, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK
bDepartment of Cell and Developmental Biology and Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
* Corresponding author. Fax: +44 1865 272554. Email address: peter.kohl{at}physiol.ox.ac.uk
Cardiac fibroblasts form one of the largest cell populations, in terms of cell numbers, in the heart. They contribute to structural, biochemical, mechanical and electrical properties of the myocardium. Nonetheless, they are often disregarded by in vivo and in vitro studies into cardiac function. This review summarizes our understanding of fibroblast origin and identity, their structural organization and role in myocardial architecture, as well as functional aspects related to cell signalling and electro-mechanical function in the heart.
KEYWORDS Connective tissue; Myocardium; Remodelling; Gap junction; Heart
Time for primary review 27 days
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