Stromal cells, including cardiac stromal cells, have long been considered as fillers of interstitial spaces among parenchymal cells, with very marginal functions. Multiple evidences from recent years, though, suggest that the great variety of cardiac stromal cells (including immune cells) hold more fundamental roles in the heart's physiology, and in the pathogenesis of multiple conditions.
The incidence of cardiac diseases is increasing, with a significant impact on the number of patients suffering from chronic conditions. The discovery of novel mediators of cardiac homeostasis versus disease initiation and progression may unveil significant pathways to be exploited or targeted for translational purposes. Under this perspective, the stromal compartment represents a non-classical player in this scenario that still remains undervalued.
This Research Topic aims at gathering contributions focused on the role of stromal cells (such as fibroblasts, mesenchymal cells, pericytes, telocytes, resident immune cells) in cardiac homeostasis and disease. Contributions may include, but are not limited to original or review papers about in vitro and in vivo models, or human samples to explore molecular and functional pathways behind the contribution of stromal cells to cardiac phenotypes in health and disease.
Stromal cells, including cardiac stromal cells, have long been considered as fillers of interstitial spaces among parenchymal cells, with very marginal functions. Multiple evidences from recent years, though, suggest that the great variety of cardiac stromal cells (including immune cells) hold more fundamental roles in the heart's physiology, and in the pathogenesis of multiple conditions.
The incidence of cardiac diseases is increasing, with a significant impact on the number of patients suffering from chronic conditions. The discovery of novel mediators of cardiac homeostasis versus disease initiation and progression may unveil significant pathways to be exploited or targeted for translational purposes. Under this perspective, the stromal compartment represents a non-classical player in this scenario that still remains undervalued.
This Research Topic aims at gathering contributions focused on the role of stromal cells (such as fibroblasts, mesenchymal cells, pericytes, telocytes, resident immune cells) in cardiac homeostasis and disease. Contributions may include, but are not limited to original or review papers about in vitro and in vivo models, or human samples to explore molecular and functional pathways behind the contribution of stromal cells to cardiac phenotypes in health and disease.