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Animal Models of Cardiac Fibrosis

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Fibrosis Research

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Medicine ((MIMM,volume 117))

Abstract

A collagen network, composed largely of type I and III fibrillar collagens, is found in the heart’s interstitial space. This network has multiple functions, including the preservation of tissue architecture and chamber geometry. Given its tensile strength, type I collagen is a major determinant of tissue stiffness. Its disproportionate accumulation, expressed in morphological terms as tissue fibrosis, increases myocardial passive and active stiffness and contributes to ventricular diastolic and systolic dysfunction. Various animal models of cardiac fibrosis have been used to study its functional consequences and to elucidate factors regulating the cellular and molecular biology of fibrogenesis. Herein, we present our experience and findings with several models of cardiac fibrosis.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported in part by National Institutes of Health National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute grants R01-HL67888 (to Y.S.), and R01-HL62229 (to K.T.W.), and grants from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center Center of Excellence in Connective Tissue Diseases (to Y.S. and K.T.W.).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN

    Yao Sun & Karl T. Weber

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  1. Yao Sun
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  2. Karl T. Weber
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL

    John Varga MD

  2. College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY

    David A. Brenner MD

  3. University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI

    Sem H. Phan MD, PhD

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© 2005 Humana Press Inc.

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Sun, Y., Weber, K.T. (2005). Animal Models of Cardiac Fibrosis. In: Varga, J., Brenner, D.A., Phan, S.H. (eds) Fibrosis Research. Methods in Molecular Medicine, vol 117. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-940-0:273

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-940-0:273

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-479-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-940-0

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