CARDIAC FIBROBLASTS - FORM AND FUNCTION

The formation and structure of the extracellular matrix (ECM) that mak es up the cardiac interstitum is well known yet the underlying mechani sms that regulate the interstitum are pearly known. This review focuse s on the role of the cardiac fibroblast in the formation and regulatio n of the ECM components during cardiac development and in response to physiologic and pathological stimulation. The role of ECM receptors (i ntegrins), cellular phenotype, and chemical and mechanical signaling b y cardiac fibroblasts are discussed. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.