Tcf21 modulates fibroblast activation and promotes cardiac fibrosis after injury via Pdgfrb signaling.

ABSTRACT: Transformation of cardiac fibroblasts into matrix-producing myofibroblasts plays an important role in tissue repair and fibrosis after myocardial injury. Tcf21 is a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor that is essential for the development of cardiac fibroblasts and the epicardium. Myofibroblasts are derived from Tcf21 (+) residual fibroblasts; however, whether Tcf21 itself promotes fibrosis is still unknown. Since Tcf21 deficiency leads to perinatal lethality, cardiac fibroblasts were isolated from Tcf21-knockout mouse embryos, and mice that lack Tcf21 after birth were generated (inducible Tcf21 KO, iTcf21). In vitro analysis revealed that Tcf21 promoted cell proliferation and upregulated the expression of extracellular matrix genes. Notably, the Pdgfrb-Erk pathway was severely sup

SUBMITTER: Baba Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12317996 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature