Work

Increased perivascular fibrosis and pro-fibrotic cellular transition in intramyocardial blood vessels in myocardial infarction patients

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Background and objectives: Structural and functional changes in the intramyocardial microcirculation increase the risk of myocardial infarction (MI). This study investigated intramyocardial perivascular fibrosis and pro-fibrotic cellular transitions in deceased acute and subacute MI patients to explore their involvement in the pathogenesis of MI. Methods: = 14). Perivascular fibrosis and fibroblast activation protein (FAP) expression were quantified using (immuno)histochemistry. Fibroblast-like transitioning of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) and endothelial cells (EC) was quantified using immunofluorescent microscopy. Results: < 0.05). Conclusion: Increased perivascular fibrosis, fibroblast activation and vascular cellular transition in intramyocardial blood vessels of MI patients may contribute to MI development. Further increases of FAP expression and perivascular fibrosis, particularly in subacute-phase infarct cores, suggest MI itself exacerbates fibroblast activation and perivascular fibrosis, theoretically increasing reinfarction risk.

Source: Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology Plus

DOI: 10.1016/j.jmccpl.2024.100275

Authors: Zhu Jiang, Giulia Sorrentino, Suat Simsek, Joris J.T.H. Roelofs, Hans W.M. Niessen, Paul A.J. Krijnen