Differential expression and secretion of microRNAs by specific cardiac fibroblast phenotypes KU Leuven
The heart is composed of many cells types, out of which cardiac myocytes and fibroblasts form the majority. Cardiac myocytes are the muscle cells, which are responsible for the rhythmic beating of the heart. Fibroblasts produce proteins which maintain the architecture of the heart. However, after heart attack whereby muscle cells are lost (infarction), fibroblasts modify themselves to become myofibroblasts. These cells produce collagen that ...