Work

Type V collagen from macrophages regulates initial collagen assembly and alignment in post-infarcted hearts

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Previous work has revealed that macrophages directly contribute collagen to the fibrotic scar in the injured hearts of zebrafish and mice. However, the functional impact of this contribution has not been investigated. Here, we characterised the deposition and ultrastructure of collagen fibrils in the forming scar of neonatal regenerative post-natal day (P)1 hearts and fibrotic P7 and adult mouse hearts after myocardial infarction (MI). Collagen type V (Col V) was the earliest deposited fibrillar collagen, coincident with macrophage recruitment to the site of injury and prior to cardiac myo-fibroblast activation. Deletion of COL5A1 in CD68+ macrophages resulted in disarrayed collagen fibrils within the nascent scar that was associated with a trend toward chamber dilation, wall thinning and compromised cardiac function. Our findings shed light on a role for macrophage-deposited Col V in establishing collagen deposition, alignment and scar stability prior to myofibroblast activation in the immediate acute phase post-MI.

Source: npj Regenerative Medicine

DOI: 10.1038/s41536-025-00430-1

Authors: Xin Sun, Sarah Sigal, Maria-Alexa Cosma, Carla de Villiers, Michael Weinberger, Paul R. Riley

Institutions: University of Oxford, Medical University of Graz

Language: English

Topic: Cardiac Fibrosis and Remodeling

Subfield: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $4,190