Premium
Fibroblast‐mediated intercellular crosstalk in the healthy and diseased heart
Author(s) -
Nicin Luka,
Wagner Julian U. G.,
Luxán Guillermo,
Dimmeler Stefanie
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1002/1873-3468.14234
Subject(s) - paracrine signalling , crosstalk , microbiology and biotechnology , fibroblast , intracellular , biology , extracellular matrix , cell type , immune system , cell signaling , cell , population , secretion , immunology , cell culture , signal transduction , medicine , genetics , endocrinology , receptor , physics , environmental health , optics
Cardiac fibroblasts constitute a major cell population in the heart. They secrete extracellular matrix components and various other factors shaping the microenvironment of the heart. In silico analysis of intercellular communication based on single‐cell RNA sequencing revealed that fibroblasts are the source of the majority of outgoing signals to other cell types. This observation suggests that fibroblasts play key roles in orchestrating cellular interactions that maintain organ homeostasis but that can also contribute to disease states. Here, we will review the current knowledge of fibroblast interactions in the healthy, diseased, and aging heart. We focus on the interactions that fibroblasts establish with other cells of the heart, specifically cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells and immune cells, and particularly those relying on paracrine, electrical, and exosomal communication modes.