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The dynamics of fibroblast–myocyte–capillary interactions in the heart
Author(s) -
Bowers Stephanie L.K.,
Borg Thomas K.,
Baudino Troy A.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.05094.x
Subject(s) - myocyte , extracellular matrix , microbiology and biotechnology , fibroblast , cytokine , biology , cell , cell type , tumor necrosis factor alpha , neuroscience , immunology , cell culture , genetics
In the heart, electrical, mechanical, and chemical signals create an environment essential for normal cellular responses to developmental and pathologic cues. Communication between fibroblasts, myocytes, and endothelial cells, as well as the extracellular matrix, are critical to fluctuations in heart composition and function during normal development and pathology. Recent evidence suggests that cytokines play a role in cell–cell signaling in the heart. Indeed, we find that interactions between myocytes and cardiac fibroblasts results in increased interleukin‐6 and tumor necrosis factor‐α secretion. We also used confocal and transmission electron microscopy to observe close relationships and possible direct communication between these cells in vivo . Our results highlight the importance of direct cell–cell communication in the heart, and indicate that interactions between fibroblasts, myocytes, and capillary endothelium results in differential cytokine expression. Studying these cell–cell interactions has many implications for the process of cardiac remodeling and overall heart function during development and cardiopathology.