Inhibition of the Unfolded Protein Response Mechanism Prevents Cardiac Fibrosis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cardiac fibrosis attributed to excessive deposition of extracellular matrix proteins is a major cause of heart failure and death. Cardiac fibrosis is extremely difficult and challenging to treat in a clinical setting due to lack of understanding of molecular mechanisms leading to cardiac fibrosis and effective anti-fibrotic therapies. The objective in this study was to examine whether unfolded protein response (UPR) pathway mediates cardiac fibrosis and whether a pharmacological intervention to modulate UPR can prevent cardiac fibrosis and preserve heart function.

Methodology/principal findings

We demonstrate here that the mechanism leading to development of fibrosis in a mouse with increased expression of calreticulin, a model of heart failure, stems from impairm

SUBMITTER: Groenendyk J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4956237 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature