Editorial
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World J Biol Chem. May 26, 2010; 1(5): 69-80
Published online May 26, 2010. doi: 10.4331/wjbc.v1.i5.69
Role of matricellular proteins in cardiac tissue remodeling after myocardial infarction
Yutaka Matsui, Junko Morimoto, Toshimitsu Uede
Yutaka Matsui, Toshimitsu Uede, Department of Matrix Medicine, Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita-15, Nishi-7, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0815, Japan
Junko Morimoto, Toshimitsu Uede, Division of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita-15, Nishi-7, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0815, Japan
Author contributions: Matsui Y wrote the paper; Morimoto J and Uede T revised and edited the paper.
Correspondence to: Dr. Toshimitsu Uede, Division of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita-15, Nishi-7, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0815, Japan. toshi@igm.hokudai.ac.jp
Telephone: +81-11-7065120 Fax: +81-11-7067542
Received: May 6, 2010
Revised: May 15, 2010
Accepted: May 17, 2010
Published online: May 26, 2010
Abstract

After onset of myocardial infarction (MI), the left ventricle (LV) undergoes a continuum of molecular, cellular, and extracellular responses that result in LV wall thinning, dilatation, and dysfunction. These dynamic changes in LV shape, size, and function are termed cardiac remodeling. If the cardiac healing after MI does not proceed properly, it could lead to cardiac rupture or maladaptive cardiac remodeling, such as further LV dilatation and dysfunction, and ultimately death. Although the precise molecular mechanisms in this cardiac healing process have not been fully elucidated, this process is strictly coordinated by the interaction of cells with their surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. The components of ECM include basic structural proteins such as collagen, elastin and specialized proteins such as fibronectin, proteoglycans and matricellular proteins. Matricellular proteins are a class of non-structural and secreted proteins that probably exert regulatory functions through direct binding to cell surface receptors, other matrix proteins, and soluble extracellular factors such as growth factors and cytokines. This small group of proteins, which includes osteopontin, thrombospondin-1/2, tenascin, periostin, and secreted protein, acidic and rich in cysteine, shows a low level of expression in normal adult tissue, but is markedly upregulated during wound healing and tissue remodeling, including MI. In this review, we focus on the regulatory functions of matricellular proteins during cardiac tissue healing and remodeling after MI.

Keywords: Matricellular proteins; Myocardial infarction; Cardiac healing; Cardiac remodeling; Extracellular matrix