Figure 2:

Cardiac tissue function depends on multiple cell types across the cardiac and microvascular systems. The major cell types include cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, and fibroblasts, neuronal, immune cells, adipocytes, and vascular pericytes. Interactions between the cell types influence multiple dynamics: muscle contraction, extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and neuronal control (cardiac tissue level) and neuronal control, vasoregulation, leukocyte trafficking and permeability dynamics (microcirculation level). The dynamics across the system level scales influence each other and contribute to the local microenvironment.