Absence of type VI collagen paradoxically improves cardiac function, structure, and remodeling after myocardial infarction.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

We previously reported that type VI collagen deposition increases in the infarcted myocardium in vivo. To date, a specific role for this nonfibrillar collagen has not been explored in the setting of myocardial infarction (MI).

Objective

To determine whether deletion of type VI collagen in an in vivo model of post-MI wound healing would alter cardiac function and remodeling in the days to weeks after injury.

Methods and results

Wild-type and Col6a1(-/-) mice were subjected to MI, followed by serial echocardiographic and histological assessments. At 8 weeks after MI, infarct size was significantly reduced, ejection fraction was significantly preserved (43.9% ± 3.3% versus 29.1% ± 4.3% for wild-type), and left ventricular chamber dilation was attenuated in the

SUBMITTER: Luther DJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3954719 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature