Table 1.

Genes associated with cardiac fibrosis

Gene	Function/Role	Implication in Fibrosis
MYH7	Sarcomere protein involved in muscle contraction	Mutations linked to cardiomyopathies and fibrosis
MYBPC3	Cardiac muscle protein	Alterations associated with fibrotic response
COL1A1	Collagen type I	Increased expression contributes to ECM accumulation
COL3A1	Collagen type III	Similar role in ECM deposition
TGF-β1	Cytokine regulating fibroblast activity	Promotes fibroblast activation and collagen synthesis
CTGF	Connective tissue growth factor	Enhances TGF-β1 effects, promoting fibrosis
MMPs	Matrix metalloproteinases	Involved in ECM remodeling; dysregulation leads to fibrosis
TIMPs	Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases	Regulate MMP activity; balance is crucial for ECM homeostasis
SOD2	Antioxidant enzyme	Dysregulation linked to oxidative stress and fibrosis
NLRP3	Inflammasome component	Associated with inflammation and fibrotic response
GSK3β	Protein kinase involved in cell signaling	Regulates pathways that influence fibroblast activity
PRKCA	Protein kinase C alpha	Promotes fibroblast activation and ECM production