Stem cells and their local microenvironment, or niche, communicate through mechanical
cues to regulate cell fate and cell behaviour and to guide developmental processes. During …

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 …

Physical stimuli are essential for the function of eukaryotic cells, and changes in physical
signals are important elements in normal tissue development as well as in disease initiation …

The adult mammalian heart is non-regenerative owing to the post-mitotic nature of
cardiomyocytes. The neonatal mouse heart can regenerate, but only during the first week of …

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is an essential component of the heart that imparts
fundamental cellular processes during organ development and homeostasis. Most …

The cardiac extracellular matrix (ECM) not only provides mechanical support, but also
transduces essential molecular signals in health and disease. Following myocardial …

The human heart is continually operating as a muscular pump, contracting, on average, 80
times per minute to propel 8000 liters of blood through body tissues each day. Whereas …

Current therapies for heart failure after myocardial infarction are limited and non-curative.
Although regenerative approaches are receiving significant attention, clinical efforts that …

The hallmark of most cardiac diseases is the progressive loss of cardiomyocytes. In the
perinatal period, cardiomyocytes still proliferate, and the heart shows the capacity to …

In cardiovascular tissues, changes in the mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix
are associated with cellular de-differentiation and with subsequent functional declines …