Chronic expression of Ski induces apoptosis and represses autophagy in cardiac myofibroblasts.

Inappropriate cardiac interstitial remodeling is mediated by activated phenoconverted myofibroblasts. The synthesis of matrix proteins by these cells is triggered by both chemical and mechanical stimuli. Ski is a repressor of TGFβ1/Smad signaling and has been described as possessing anti-fibrotic properties within the myocardium.

The Ski-Zeb2-Meox2 pathway provides a novel mechanism for regulation of the cardiac myofibroblast phenotype.

Cardiac fibrosis is linked to fibroblast-to-myofibroblast phenoconversion and proliferation but the mechanisms underlying this are poorly understood. Ski is a negative regulator of TGF-β-Smad signaling in myofibroblasts, and might redirect the myofibroblast phenotype back to fibroblasts. Meox2 could alter TGF-β-mediated cellular processes and is repressed by Zeb2.

Autophagy regulates trans fatty acid-mediated apoptosis in primary cardiac myofibroblasts.

Trans fats are not a homogeneous group of molecules and less is known about the cellular effects of individual members of the group. Vaccenic acid (VA) and elaidic acid (EA) are the predominant trans monoenes in ruminant fats and vegetable oil, respectively. Here, we investigated the mechanism of cell death induced by VA and EA on primary rat ventricular myofibroblasts (rVF).