M. Neuss et al., ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF HUMAN CARDIAC FIBROBLASTS FROM EXPLANTED ADULT HEARTS, Cell and tissue research, 286(1), 1996, pp. 145-153
Fibrosis makes an important contribution to the pathophysiological eve
nts leading to the development of heart failure in ischemic and hypert
ensive heart disease. Since cardiac fibroblasts are mainly responsible
for the synthesis and deposition of the extracellular matrix, we have
established a method for isolating and cultivating human cardiac fibr
oblasts from explanted human hearts. The cell yield was 2.14+/-0.25x10
(6) cells in five independent isolations and the cell purity was 95-97
%, contaminating cells being vascular smooth muscle cells and pericyte
s. Cultured cells were studied with respect to growth properties, morp
hology and deposition of components of the extracellular matrix. Isola
ted cells displayed a differentiated phenotype, including the second p
assage in culture; they synthesised collagen I, III, IV, fibronectin,
vitronectin? tenascin and chondroitin sulphate and expressed an atypic
al angiotensin receptor. This atypical angiotensin receptor internalis
ed angiotensins II and III but not angiotensin IV in a time-dependent
manner. Stimulation of the cells with angiotensins II and III but not
with angiotensin IV resulted in a dose-dependent stimulation of DNA sy
nthesis. Go-incubation with the subtype-specific receptor antagonists
Losartan and PD 123317 did not prevent the stimulation of DNA synthesi
s. The further characterisation of this receptor should provide insigh
ts into the pathobiochemical events leading to heart failure in hypert
ension and ischemic heart disease.