BACKGROUND: Cardiac fibroblasts are critical mediators of fibrotic remodeling in the failing heart and transform into myofibroblasts in the presence of pro-fibrotic factors such as TGF-β. Myocardial fibrosis worsens cardiac function accelerating the …

Cardiokines play an essential role in maintaining normal cardiac functions and responding to acute myocardial injury. Studies have demonstrated the heart itself is a significant source of C1q/TNF-related protein 9 (CTRP9). However, the biological role of …

Exposure to high altitude worsens symptoms and crises in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). However, it remains unclear if prolonged exposure to low barometric pressures exacerbates SCD etiologies or impairs quality of life. We tested the hypothesis …

Cardiomyocyte proliferation stops at birth when the heart is no longer exposed to maternal blood and, likewise, to regulatory T cells (Tregs) that are expanded to promote maternal tolerance towards the fetus. Here, we report a role of Tregs in promoting …

Rationale: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a devastating disease characterized by progressive vasoconstriction and obliterative vascular remodeling that leads to right heart failure (RHF) and death. Current therapies do not target vascular …

Rationale: Despite the advancement in therapies for cardiovascular disease and heart failure (HF), the incidence and prevalence of HF is increasing. Previous work has suggested that inhibiting adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) in adipose tissue during HF …

Large conductance calcium and voltage-activated potassium channels (BKCa) are transmembrane proteins, ubiquitously expressed in the majority of organs, and play an active role in regulating cellular physiology. In the heart, BKCa channels are known to …

Neuregulin 1 (NRG1), a ligand for HER3 and HER4 receptors, is secreted by both pancreatic tumor cells (PC) and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), the latter representing the most abundant compound of pancreatic stroma. This desmoplastic stroma …

Wildland fire emissions cause adverse cardiopulmonary outcomes, yet controlled exposure studies to characterize health impacts of specific biomass sources have been complicated by the often latent effects of air pollution. The aim of this study was to …

Cardiomyocyte apoptosis has been observed in several cardiovascular diseases and contributes to the subsequent cardiac remodeling processes and progression to heart failure. Consequently, apoptosis imaging is helpful for noninvasively detecting the …