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Proceedings. Biological Sciences Dec 2015The hearts of lower vertebrates such as fish and salamanders display scarless regeneration following injury, although this feature is lost in adult mammals. The... (Review)
Review
The hearts of lower vertebrates such as fish and salamanders display scarless regeneration following injury, although this feature is lost in adult mammals. The remarkable capacity of the neonatal mammalian heart to regenerate suggests that the underlying machinery required for the regenerative process is evolutionarily retained. Recent studies highlight the epicardial covering of the heart as an important source of the signalling factors required for the repair process. The developing epicardium is also a major source of cardiac fibroblasts, smooth muscle, endothelial cells and stem cells. Here, we examine animal models that are capable of scarless regeneration, the role of the epicardium as a source of cells, signalling mechanisms implicated in the regenerative process and how these mechanisms influence cardiomyocyte proliferation. We also discuss recent advances in cardiac stem cell research and potential therapeutic targets arising from these studies.
Topics: Animals; Cell Proliferation; Models, Biological; Myocytes, Cardiac; Pericardium; Regeneration; Signal Transduction; Stem Cell Transplantation; Stem Cells
PubMed: 26702046
DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2015.2147 -
Circulation Research Jan 2020The heart is lined by a single layer of mesothelial cells called the epicardium that provides important cellular contributions for embryonic heart formation. The... (Review)
Review
The heart is lined by a single layer of mesothelial cells called the epicardium that provides important cellular contributions for embryonic heart formation. The epicardium harbors a population of progenitor cells that undergo epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition displaying characteristic conversion of planar epithelial cells into multipolar and invasive mesenchymal cells before differentiating into nonmyocyte cardiac lineages, such as vascular smooth muscle cells, pericytes, and fibroblasts. The epicardium is also a source of paracrine cues that are essential for fetal cardiac growth, coronary vessel patterning, and regenerative heart repair. Although the epicardium becomes dormant after birth, cardiac injury reactivates developmental gene programs that stimulate epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition; however, it is not clear how the epicardium contributes to disease progression or repair in the adult. In this review, we will summarize the molecular mechanisms that control epicardium-derived progenitor cell migration, and the functional contributions of the epicardium to heart formation and cardiomyopathy. Future perspectives will be presented to highlight emerging therapeutic strategies aimed at harnessing the regenerative potential of the fetal epicardium for cardiac repair.
Topics: Animals; Heart Diseases; Humans; Myocardium; Paracrine Communication; Pericardium; Regeneration
PubMed: 31999538
DOI: 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.119.315857 -
Arquivos Brasileiros de Cardiologia Jun 2019Pericardium tissue allograft can be used for surgical repair in several procedures. One of the tissue engineering strategies is the process of decellularization. This...
BACKGROUND
Pericardium tissue allograft can be used for surgical repair in several procedures. One of the tissue engineering strategies is the process of decellularization. This process decreases immunogenic response, but it may modify the natural extracellular matrix composition and behavior.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of cell removal, maintenance of extracellular matrix properties and mechanical integrity of decellularized human pericardium using a low concentration solution of sodium dodecyl sulfate.
METHODS
Decellularization was performed with sodium dodecyl sulfate and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. Histological analysis, DNA quantification, evaluation of glycosaminoglycans and collagen were performed. Biomechanical assay was performed using tensile test to compare the decellularization effects on tissue properties of tensile strength, elongation and elastic modulus. P < 0.05 was considered significant.
RESULTS
There was reduction in visible nuclei present in pericardium tissue after decellularization, but it retained collagen and elastin bundles similar to fresh pericardium. The DNA contents of the decellularized pericardium were significantly reduced to less than 511.23 ± 120.4 ng per mg of dry weight (p < 0.001). The biomechanical assay showed no significant difference for fresh or decellularized tissue.
CONCLUSION
The decellularization process reduces cell content as well as extracellular matrix components without changing its biomechanical properties.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Biomechanical Phenomena; Cell Separation; Humans; Middle Aged; Pericardium; Regenerative Medicine; Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate; Surface-Active Agents; Tissue Engineering; Tissue Scaffolds; Young Adult
PubMed: 31271596
DOI: 10.5935/abc.20190094 -
Journal of Cardiovascular... Jun 2020
Topics: Atrial Fibrillation; Catheter Ablation; Humans; Pericardium; Pulmonary Veins
PubMed: 32202011
DOI: 10.1111/jce.14453 -
Circulation Research Sep 2014
Topics: Animals; Cell Lineage; Cell Proliferation; Fibroblasts; Pericardium
PubMed: 25214570
DOI: 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.114.304854 -
Acta Cardiologica Jun 2023Pericardial agenesis is a rarely seen congenital defect characterised by the partial or, more rarely complete, absence of the pericardium. Most often asymptomatic, it is...
Pericardial agenesis is a rarely seen congenital defect characterised by the partial or, more rarely complete, absence of the pericardium. Most often asymptomatic, it is usually incidentally discovered following the demonstration of heart's laevorotation on imaging, in the operating room or at autopsy. In this article, we report the case of an 80-year-old patient with asymptomatic complete pericardial agenesis fortuitous discovered. Pericardial agenesis observations are extremely uncommon reported in the literature, which substantiate its original epidemiological character. In addition, this observation brings some clinical, electrical as well as iconographic elements to better understand the pathology and raises clinical suspicions. Finally, this case report confirms the exceptionally symptomatic nature of the pathology, illustrating the irrelevance of treatment or specific follow-up.
Topics: Humans; Aged, 80 and over; Pericardium; Freedom
PubMed: 34670482
DOI: 10.1080/00015385.2021.1991666 -
International Journal of Cardiology Sep 2022
Topics: Adipose Tissue; Humans; Pericardium
PubMed: 35533749
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2022.05.001 -
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal May 2024Heart failure (HF) management guidelines recommend individualized assessments based on HF phenotypes. Adiposity is a known risk factor for HF. Recently, there has been... (Review)
Review
Heart failure (HF) management guidelines recommend individualized assessments based on HF phenotypes. Adiposity is a known risk factor for HF. Recently, there has been an increased interest in organ-specific adiposity, specifically the role of the epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), in HF risk. EAT is easily assessable through various imaging modalities and is anatomically and functionally connected to the myocardium. In pathological conditions, EAT secretes inflammatory cytokines, releases excessive fatty acids, and increases mechanical load on the myocardium, resulting in myocardial remodeling. EAT plays a pathophysiological role in characterizing both HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). In HFrEF, EAT volume is reduced, reflecting an impaired metabolic reservoir, whereas in HFpEF, the amount of EAT is associated with worse biomarker and hemodynamic profiles, indicating increased EAT activity. Studies have examined the possibility of therapeutically targeting EAT, and recent studies using sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors have shown potential in reducing EAT volume. However, further research is required to determine the clinical implications of reducing EAT activity in patients with HF.
Topics: Humans; Heart Failure; Pericardium; Adipose Tissue; Stroke Volume; Adiposity; Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors; Risk Factors; Epicardial Adipose Tissue
PubMed: 38310880
DOI: 10.4093/dmj.2023.0190 -
Biomedical Materials (Bristol, England) Dec 2019Decellularized human pericardium is under study as an allogenic material for cardiovascular applications. The effects of crosslinking on the mechanical properties of...
Decellularized human pericardium is under study as an allogenic material for cardiovascular applications. The effects of crosslinking on the mechanical properties of decellularized pericardium were determined with a uniaxial tensile test, and the effects of crosslinking on the collagen structure of decellularized pericardium were determined by multiphoton microscopy. The viability of human umbilical vein endothelial cells seeded on decellularized human pericardium and on pericardium strongly and weakly crosslinked with glutaraldehyde and with genipin was evaluated by means of an MTS assay. The viability of the cells, measured by their metabolic activity, decreased considerably when the pericardium was crosslinked with glutaraldehyde. Conversely, the cell viability increased when the pericardium was crosslinked with genipin. Coating both non-modified pericardium and crosslinked pericardium with a fibrin mesh or with a mesh containing attached heparin and/or fibronectin led to a significant increase in cell viability. The highest degree of viability was attained for samples that were weakly crosslinked with genipin and modified by means of a fibrin and fibronectin coating. The results indicate a method by which in vivo endothelialization of human cardiac allografts or xenografts could potentially be encouraged.
Topics: Allografts; Animals; Biocompatible Materials; Biomechanical Phenomena; Cell Survival; Collagen; Cross-Linking Reagents; Fibrin; Fibronectins; Glutaral; Heterografts; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells; Humans; Iridoids; Materials Testing; Microscopy, Fluorescence, Multiphoton; Pericardium; Surface Plasmon Resonance; Tensile Strength
PubMed: 31665713
DOI: 10.1088/1748-605X/ab52db -
Journal of Veterinary Cardiology : the... Feb 2022An 11-year-old neutered male Border Terrier presented for pericardiectomy after a nine-month history of tricavitary effusion, dyspnoea and lethargy. Transthoracic...
An 11-year-old neutered male Border Terrier presented for pericardiectomy after a nine-month history of tricavitary effusion, dyspnoea and lethargy. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a fluid-filled structure at the heart base, starting at the mid-right ventricle and extending to the middle of the right atrium. Almost complete compression of the right atrium and the cranial vena cava was noted. Thoracic computed tomography revealed a heterogeneously enhancing and poorly marginated mass within the cranial aspect of the pericardium. A median sternotomy and subtotal pericardiectomy were performed. A non-distinct fluid-filled structure within the pericardium adhered to the epicardium was visualised. The structure was removed via marsupialisation along with extirpation of enlarged sternal lymph nodes. Histopathological examination of the sternal lymph nodes revealed expansile, well-demarcated, unencapsulated nodules of neoplastic cells consistent with a neuroendocrine tumour suspected to be thyroid in origin. After surgery, intractable pleural effusion resulted in euthanasia. Intrapericardial ectopic thyroid tumours are rarely reported in animals. The location of the mass and unusual presentation may have made it challenging for echocardiography to identify this neoplasia. Thoracic computed tomography at an earlier stage may have identified the neoplasia and potentially allowed for surgical intervention.
Topics: Animals; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Echocardiography; Euthanasia, Animal; Male; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Pericardiectomy; Pericardium
PubMed: 34979483
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvc.2021.12.007