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Nature Reviews. Cardiology Sep 2022Interest in epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is growing rapidly, and research in this area appeals to a broad, multidisciplinary audience. EAT is unique in its anatomy... (Review)
Review
Interest in epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is growing rapidly, and research in this area appeals to a broad, multidisciplinary audience. EAT is unique in its anatomy and unobstructed proximity to the heart and has a transcriptome and secretome very different from that of other fat depots. EAT has physiological and pathological properties that vary depending on its location. It can be highly protective for the adjacent myocardium through dynamic brown fat-like thermogenic function and harmful via paracrine or vasocrine secretion of pro-inflammatory and profibrotic cytokines. EAT is a modifiable risk factor that can be assessed with traditional and novel imaging techniques. Coronary and left atrial EAT are involved in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation, respectively, and it also contributes to the development and progression of heart failure. In addition, EAT might have a role in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related cardiac syndrome. EAT is a reliable potential therapeutic target for drugs with cardiovascular benefits such as glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors. This Review provides a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the role of EAT in cardiovascular disease and highlights the translational nature of EAT research and its applications in contemporary cardiology.
Topics: Adipose Tissue; Atrial Fibrillation; COVID-19; Cardiology; Humans; Pericardium
PubMed: 35296869
DOI: 10.1038/s41569-022-00679-9 -
Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews.... 2010The functions of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract include digestion, absorption, excretion, and protection. In this review, we focus on the electrical activity of the... (Review)
Review
The functions of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract include digestion, absorption, excretion, and protection. In this review, we focus on the electrical activity of the stomach and small intestine, which underlies the motility of these organs, and where the most detailed systems descriptions and computational models have been based to date. Much of this discussion is also applicable to the rest of the GI tract. This review covers four major spatial scales: cell, tissue, organ, and torso, and discusses the methods of investigation and the challenges associated with each. We begin by describing the origin of the electrical activity in the interstitial cells of Cajal, and its spread to smooth muscle cells. The spread of electrical activity through the stomach and small intestine is then described, followed by the resultant electrical and magnetic activity that may be recorded on the body surface. A number of common and highly symptomatic GI conditions involve abnormal electrical and/or motor activity, which are often termed functional disorders. In the last section of this review we address approaches being used to characterize and diagnose abnormalities in the electrical activity and how these might be applied in the clinical setting. The understanding of electrophysiology and motility of the GI system remains a challenging field, and the review discusses how biophysically based mathematical models can help to bridge gaps in our current knowledge, through integration of otherwise separate concepts.
Topics: Animals; Electrophysiology; Gastrointestinal Motility; Gastrointestinal Tract; Humans; Intestinal Mucosa; Models, Biological; Muscle, Smooth; Serous Membrane; Stomach
PubMed: 20836011
DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.19 -
Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in... Feb 2020The epicardium, the outermost tissue layer that envelops all vertebrate hearts, plays a crucial role in cardiac development and regeneration and has been implicated in... (Review)
Review
The epicardium, the outermost tissue layer that envelops all vertebrate hearts, plays a crucial role in cardiac development and regeneration and has been implicated in potential strategies for cardiac repair. The heterogenous cell population that composes the epicardium originates primarily from a transient embryonic cell cluster known as the proepicardial organ (PE). Characterized by its high cellular plasticity, the epicardium contributes to both heart development and regeneration in two critical ways: as a source of progenitor cells and as a critical signaling hub. Despite this knowledge, there are many unanswered questions in the field of epicardial biology, the resolution of which will advance the understanding of cardiac development and repair. We review current knowledge in cross-species epicardial involvement, specifically in relation to lineage specification and differentiation during cardiac development.
Topics: Animals; Cell Differentiation; Pericardium; Regeneration; Stem Cells
PubMed: 31451510
DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a037192 -
CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association... May 2023
Topics: Humans; Pneumopericardium; Pericardium
PubMed: 37220925
DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.221137-f -
The Journal of Thoracic and... May 2022
Topics: Cardiac Pacing, Artificial; Humans; Pacemaker, Artificial; Pericardium; Thoracic Surgical Procedures
PubMed: 32868050
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2020.08.012 -
The Journal of Thoracic and... Jun 2018
Topics: Aortic Valve; Glutaral; Pericardium
PubMed: 29567132
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2018.01.091 -
Folia Histochemica Et Cytobiologica 2016Normal pericardium consists of an outer sac called fibrous pericardium and an inner one called serous pericardium. The two layers of serous pericardium: visceral and... (Review)
Review
Normal pericardium consists of an outer sac called fibrous pericardium and an inner one called serous pericardium. The two layers of serous pericardium: visceral and parietal are separated by the pericardial cavity, which contains 20 to 60 mL of the plasma ultrafiltrate. The pericardium acts as mechanical protection for the heart and big vessels, and a lubrication to reduce friction between the heart and the surrounding structures. A very important role in all aspects of pericardial functions is played by mesothelial cells. The mesothelial cells form a monolayer lining the serosal cavity and play an important role in antigen presentation, inflammation and tissue repair, coagulation and fibrinolysis. The two major types of mesothelial cells, flat or cuboid, differ substantially in their ultrastructure and, probably, functions. The latter display abundant microvilli, RER, Golgi dense bodies, membrane-bound vesicles and intracellular vacuoles containing electron-dense material described as dense bodies. The normal structure and functions of the pericardium determine correct healing after its injury as a result of surgery or microbial infection. The unfavorable resolution of acute or chronic pericarditis leads to the formation of adhesions between pericardial leaflets which may lead to serious complications.
Topics: Animals; Heart; Humans; Pericardium
PubMed: 27654013
DOI: 10.5603/FHC.a2016.0014 -
Biomolecules May 2021Post-surgical adhesions are internal scar tissue and a major health and economic burden. Adhesions affect and involve the peritoneal lining of the abdominal cavity,... (Review)
Review
Post-surgical adhesions are internal scar tissue and a major health and economic burden. Adhesions affect and involve the peritoneal lining of the abdominal cavity, which consists of a continuous mesothelial covering of the cavity wall and majority of internal organs. Our understanding of the full pathophysiology of adhesion formation is limited by the fact that the mechanisms regulating normal serosal repair and regeneration of the mesothelial layer are still being elucidated. Emerging evidence suggests that mesothelial cells do not simply form a passive barrier but perform a wide range of important regulatory functions including maintaining a healthy peritoneal homeostasis as well as orchestrating events leading to normal repair or pathological outcomes following injury. Here, we summarise recent advances in our understanding of serosal repair and adhesion formation with an emphasis on molecular mechanisms and novel gene expression signatures associated with these processes. We discuss changes in mesothelial biomolecular marker expression during peritoneal development, which may help, in part, to explain findings in adults from lineage tracing studies using experimental adhesion models. Lastly, we highlight examples of where local tissue specialisation may determine a particular response of peritoneal cells to injury.
Topics: Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; Gene Regulatory Networks; Genetic Markers; Humans; Peritoneum; Tissue Adhesions
PubMed: 34063089
DOI: 10.3390/biom11050692 -
Nature Reviews. Cardiology Oct 2018After decades of directed research, no effective regenerative therapy is currently available to repair the injured human heart. The epicardium, a layer of mesothelial... (Review)
Review
After decades of directed research, no effective regenerative therapy is currently available to repair the injured human heart. The epicardium, a layer of mesothelial tissue that envelops the heart in all vertebrates, has emerged as a new player in cardiac repair and regeneration. The epicardium is essential for muscle regeneration in the zebrafish model of innate heart regeneration, and the epicardium also participates in fibrotic responses in mammalian hearts. This structure serves as a source of crucial cells, such as vascular smooth muscle cells, pericytes, and fibroblasts, during heart development and repair. The epicardium also secretes factors that are essential for proliferation and survival of cardiomyocytes. In this Review, we describe recent advances in our understanding of the biology of the epicardium and the effect of these findings on the candidacy of this structure as a therapeutic target for heart repair and regeneration.
Topics: Animals; Cell Differentiation; Cell Lineage; Cell Proliferation; Cell Survival; Disease Models, Animal; Heart Diseases; Humans; Mice, Transgenic; Organogenesis; Pericardium; Recovery of Function; Regeneration; Regenerative Medicine; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 29950578
DOI: 10.1038/s41569-018-0046-4 -
Fertility and Sterility Oct 2016The mesothelium was traditionally thought to be a simple tissue with the sole function of providing a slippery, nonadhesive, and protective surface to allow easy... (Review)
Review
The mesothelium was traditionally thought to be a simple tissue with the sole function of providing a slippery, nonadhesive, and protective surface to allow easy movement of organs within their body cavities. However, our knowledge of mesothelial cell physiology is rapidly expanding, and the mesothelium is now recognized as a dynamic cellular membrane with many other important functions. When injured, mesothelial cells initiate a cascade of processes leading either to complete regeneration of the mesothelium or the development of pathologies such as adhesions. Normal mesothelial healing is unique in that, unlike with other epithelial-like surfaces, healing appears diffusely across the denuded surface, whereas for epithelium healing occurs solely at the wound edges. This is because of a free-floating population of mesothelial cells which attach to the injured serosa. Taking advantage of this phenomenon, intraperitoneal injections of mesothelial cells have been assessed for their ability to prevent adhesion formation. This review discusses some of the functions of mesothelial cells regarding maintenance of serosal integrity and outlines the mechanisms involved in mesothelial healing. In addition, the pathogenesis of adhesion formation is discussed with particular attention to the potential role of mesothelial cells in both preventing and inducing their development.
Topics: Animals; Epithelial Cells; Epithelium; Female; Homeostasis; Humans; Male; Peritoneum; Risk Factors; Signal Transduction; Surgical Procedures, Operative; Tissue Adhesions; Treatment Outcome; Wound Healing
PubMed: 27692285
DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2016.09.005