Figure 1.

Fibroblasts activation mechanism. Pro-inflammatory signaling and mechanical stress after cardiac injury promote the activation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts. Myofibroblasts, characterized by actin stress fibers, α-SMA, increased cytokines (TGF-β, IL-6, IL-1, TNFα), and ECM protein secretion, are responsible for both paracrine and autocrine effects on adjacent cells. α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA); Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β); Interleukins (IL-6, IL-1); tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα); extracellular matrix (ECM). Created with Biorender.com (accessed on 15 June 2022).