Transforming growth factor-β-dependent Wnt secretion controls myofibroblast formation and myocardial fibrosis progression in experimental autoimmune myocarditis

Abstract

We identified TAK1-mediated rapid Wnt protein secretion as a novel downstream key mechanism of TGF-β-mediated myofibroblast differentiation and myocardial fibrosis progression in human and mouse myocarditis. Thus, pharmacological targeting of Wnts might represent a promising therapeutic approach against iDCM in the future.