The fibrogenic niche provides a unique microenvironment consisting of extracellular matrix proteins, cells, and soluble factors that drives fibroblast activation and the progression of myocardial fibrosis.
Myocardial fibrosis represents the initial stage of cardiac failure and is characterized by the accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins. The fibrogenic niche provides a unique microenvironment for myocardial fibrosis and consists primarily of extracellular matrix proteins, various types of cardiac resident cells, inflammatory cells, extracellular vesicles, and soluble factors. Meanwhile, the composition and contents of this microenvironment undergo dynamic changes during the repair of damaged tissues. Several studies have demonstrated that the fibrogenic niche plays a key role in the activation of fibroblasts, the development of inflammation, and the onset of microvascular dysfunction. Studying the fibrogenic niche has emerged as a new method to clarify the mechanisms involved in myocardial fibrosis, and can potentially facilitate the early diagnosis and individualized medical treatment for the disease.
Wang et al. (Thu,) conducted a review in Myocardial fibrosis. The fibrogenic niche provides a unique microenvironment consisting of extracellular matrix proteins, cells, and soluble factors that drives fibroblast activation and the progression of myocardial fibrosis.