Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-g7gxr Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-02T22:17:12.802Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

relaxin and the extracellular matrix: molecular mechanisms of action and implications for cardiovascular disease

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 September 2005

jonathan t. mcguane
Affiliation:
department of zoology and howard florey institute, university of melbourne, royal parade, parkville, 3010 australia.
laura j. parry
Affiliation:
department of zoology, university of melbourne, royal parade, parkville, 3010 australia.

Abstract

myocardial fibrosis is a common endpoint in a variety of cardiac pathologies. it results from excessive accumulation of collagen and other materials that together comprise the extracellular matrix (ecm). in the past decade, the peptide hormone relaxin has emerged as an important regulator of the ecm within several organs, including the heart, and has been suggested as a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of fibrotic disorders. this review summarises research on the anti-fibrotic actions of relaxin, outlines the potential mechanisms by which relaxin regulates the ecm in cardiovascular tissues and examines the implications of this research for the management of heart disease. some of the contradictions in the literature are also addressed in order to clarify the role of relaxin as an anti-fibrotic factor in vivo.

Type
Review Article
Copyright
cambridge university press 2005

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)