Syndecan-4 is a key determinant of collagen cross-linking and passive myocardial stiffness in the pressure-overloaded heart

Abstract

Syndecan-4 exerts a dual role in collagen cross-linking, one involving its cytosolic domain and NFAT signalling leading to collagen, OPN, and LOX induction in cardiac fibroblasts; the other involving the extracellular domain promoting LOX-dependent cross-linking.