Fibroblast circSamd4 promotes cardiac fibrosis via activating plasminogen activator inhibitor-1.

ABSTRACT: Cardiac fibrosis remains an unresolved clinical issue in patients with heart diseases. CircRNAs have emerged as potential targets for treatment of heart diseases. Exploring the functional circRNAs in fibroblast activation is one of the ways to develop innovative drugs for the treatment of cardiac fibrosis. This study aimed to screen for fibroblast-related circRNAs in cardiac fibrosis and elucidate their roles and underlying mechanisms. By screening for fibrosis-responsible circular RNAs (circRNAs), we identified a highly conserved circRNA, circular RNA Sterile alpha motif domain containing 4 (circSamd4), that drives cardiac fibrosis. circSamd4 is prominently expressed in cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) and is upregulated in the fibrotic hearts of humans and mice. Fibroblast-specific silencing of

SUBMITTER: Chen Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12824917 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature