Exposure to micro-and nanoplastics (MNPs) is inevitable due to their omnipresence in the
environment. A growing body of studies has advanced our understanding of the potential …

Myocardial fibrosis, the expansion of the cardiac interstitium through deposition of
extracellular matrix proteins, is a common pathophysiologic companion of many different …

TGF-β is extensively implicated in the pathogenesis of fibrosis. In fibrotic lesions, spatially
restricted generation of bioactive TGF-β from latent stores requires the cooperation of …

The immune system plays a pivotal role in the initiation, development and resolution of
inflammation following insult or damage to organs. The heart is a vital organ which supplies …

Cardiac fibrosis is mediated by the activation of resident cardiac fibroblasts, which
differentiate into myofibroblasts in response to injury or stress. Although myofibroblast …

The cardiovascular system is significantly affected in coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19).
Microvascular injury, endothelial dysfunction, and thrombosis resulting from viral infection or …

Diffuse myocardial fibrosis resulting from the excessive deposition of collagen fibres through
the entire myocardium is encountered in a number of chronic cardiac diseases. This lesion …

The ECM (extracellular matrix) network plays a crucial role in cardiac homeostasis, not only
by providing structural support, but also by facilitating force transmission, and by transducing …

Cardiac injury remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite
significant advances, a full understanding of why the heart fails to fully recover function after …

Multipotent stromal cells (MSCs) are vital for development, maintenance, function, and
regeneration of most tissues. They can differentiate along multiple connective lineages, but …