Abstract
Cardiac myocyte-fibroblast electrotonic coupling is a well-established fact in vitro. Indirect evidence of its presence in vivo exists, but few functional studies have been published. This review describes the current knowledge of fibroblast-myocyte electrical signaling in the heart. Further research is needed to understand the frequency and extent of heterocellular interactions in vivo in order to gain a better understanding of their relevance in healthy and diseased myocardium. It is hoped that associated insight into myocyte-fibroblast coupling in the heart may lead to the discovery of novel therapeutic targets and the development of agents for improving outcomes of myocardial scarring and fibrosis.
Keywords:
Cardiac electrophysiology; Gap junction; Scar.
Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Review
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Cardiotonic Agents / therapeutic use
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Cell Communication / drug effects
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Cicatrix / genetics
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Cicatrix / metabolism*
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Cicatrix / pathology
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Cicatrix / prevention & control
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Connexins / genetics
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Connexins / metabolism*
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Fibroblasts / drug effects
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Fibroblasts / metabolism*
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Fibroblasts / pathology
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Fibrosis / genetics
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Fibrosis / metabolism*
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Fibrosis / pathology
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Fibrosis / therapy
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Gap Junctions / drug effects
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Gene Expression Regulation
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Heart Conduction System / drug effects
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Humans
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Membrane Potentials / drug effects
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Myocardium / metabolism
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Myocardium / pathology
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Myocytes, Cardiac / drug effects
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Myocytes, Cardiac / metabolism*
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Myocytes, Cardiac / pathology
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Signal Transduction
Substances
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Cardiotonic Agents
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Connexins