Figure 1.

Activation of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) involves mechanosensing and is related to variations in epigenetic programming and specific non-coding (ncRNAs). The panel illustrates the transition from normal conditions, characterized by a compliant matrix and a low level of cellular mechanical stress; to the pathologic programming occurring due to remodeling/crosslinking of the extracellular matrix (ECM); to the final stage of myo-fibroblast differentiation, which involves nuclear straining, nuclear translocation of mechanically dependent transcription factors, proliferation, and pro-inflammatory phenotypes.