Open AccessThrombospondins in the heart: potential functions in cardiac remodeling
Author(s) -
Schellings Mark W. M.,
Almen Geert C.,
Sage E. Helene,
Heymans Stephane
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of cell communication and signaling
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.329
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 1873-961X
pISSN - 1873-9601
DOI - 10.1007/s12079-009-0070-6
Subject(s) - thrombospondins , extracellular matrix , thrombospondin 1 , ventricular remodeling , matricellular protein , medicine , inflammation , thrombospondin , heart failure , angiogenesis , sarcolemma , cardiac function curve , cardiology , microbiology and biotechnology , myocyte , biology , matrix metalloproteinase , metalloproteinase
Cardiac remodeling after myocardial injury involves inflammation, angiogenesis, left ventricular hypertrophy and matrix remodeling. Thrombospondins (TSPs) belong to the group of matricellular proteins, which are non‐structural extracellular matrix proteins that modulate cell–matrix interactions and cell function in injured tissues or tumors. They interact with different matrix and membrane‐bound proteins due to their diverse functional domains. That the expression of TSPs strongly increases during cardiac stress or injury indicates an important role for them during cardiac remodeling. Recently, the protective properties of TSP expression against heart failure have been acknowledged. The current review will focus on the biological role of TSPs in the ischemic and hypertensive heart, and will describe the functional consequences of TSP polymorphisms in cardiac disease.