The ECM (extracellular matrix) network plays a crucial role in cardiac homeostasis, not only
by providing structural support, but also by facilitating force transmission, and by transducing …

Cells sense mechanical stress and changes in their matrix environment through the
integrins, a family of heterodimeric surface receptors that bind to extracellular matrix ligands …

Cardiac fibrosis is a common finding that is associated with the progression of heart failure
(HF) and impacts all chambers of the heart. Despite intense research, the treatment of HF …

Cardiac fibrosis is a hallmark in late-stage familial dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients,
although the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Cardiac exosomes (Exos) have been …

Inflammation is a physiological process by which the body responds to external insults and
stress conditions, and it is characterized by the production of pro-inflammatory mediators …

Fibrosis is a pathological process characterized by accumulation of fibrous connective tissue
in organs, leading to organ malfunction and failure. At the cellular level, tissue injury or …

Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy (ACM) is characterized by the replacement of the
myocardium with fibrotic or fibro-fatty tissue and inflammatory infiltrates in the heart. To date …

Background Myocardial infarction (MI) dramatically changes the mechanical stress, which is
intensified by the fibrotic remodeling. Integrins, especially the αV subunit, mediate …

The cellular response to the extracellular matrix (ECM) microenvironment mediated by
integrin adhesion is of fundamental importance, in both developmental and pathological …

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common disease in elderly men. It is characterized
by prostatic enlargement and urethral compression and often causes lower urinary tract …