文摘
In healing infarcts, scar contraction is associated with accumulation of α-SMA-expressing myofibroblasts. Culture of cardiac myofibroblasts in collagen pads causes disassembly of stress fibers, and reduces α-SMA and collagen synthesis. Serum and bFGF increase contraction of fibroblast-populated collagen pads, despite attenuating α-SMA synthesis. α-SMA knockdown attenuates serum-induced contraction of fibroblast-populated collagen pads. α-SMA overexpression also reduces pad contraction, attenuating fibroblast proliferative activity.