Profibrotic COVID-19 subphenotype exhibits enhanced localized ER-dependent HSP47⁺ expression in cardiac myofibroblasts in situ.

ABSTRACT: We recently described a subgroup of autopsied COVID-19 subjects (∼40%), termed 'profibrotic phenotype,' who exhibited clusters of myofibroblasts (Mfbs), which were positive for the collagen-specific chaperone heat shock protein 47 (HSP47⁺) in situ. This report identifies increased, localized (hot spot restricted) expression of αSMA, COLα1, POSTN and FAP supporting the identity of HSP47⁺ cells as myofibroblasts and characterizing a profibrotic extracellular matrix (ECM) phenotype. Coupled with increased GRP78 in COVID-19 subjects, these data could reflect induction of the unfolded protein response for mitigation of proteostasis (i.e., protein homeostasis) dysfunction in discrete clusters of cells. ECM shifts in selected COVID-19 subjects occur without significant incre

SUBMITTER: Jacobs ER 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11000691 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature