Fibroblast Smad7 Induction Protects the Remodeling Pressure-Overloaded Heart

Abstract

The antifibrotic effects of Smad7 in the pressure-overloaded heart protect from dysfunction and involve not only reduction in collagen deposition but also suppression of MMP2-mediated matrix denaturation and paracrine effects that suppress macrophage activation through inhibition of matricellular proteins.