Location and aetiology are determinants of fibroblast activation and heterogeneity in the failing human heart

Abstract excerpt

BACKGROUND: Cardiac fibrosis is a key feature of pathological cardiac remodelling that significantly impacts heart function through contributing to stiffness, diastolic dysfunction, and arrhythmias, ultimately leading to heart failure (HF). Despite extensive research into fibrosis-related matrix alterations, therapeutic advancements are limited, in part owing to the different nature (reparative vs interstitial)...