Leptin Receptor Fibroblasts Are Preferential Contributors to Cardiac Fibrosis - PubMed

3 hours ago

Cardiac fibrosis is driven by pathological activation of cardiac fibroblasts, but the role of fibroblast heterogeneity was unclear.
In mice, leptin receptor-positive fibroblasts (LepR+ CFs) are the sole cardiac cell type expressing signaling-capable LepR, emerge neonatally, reside in coronary adventitia, and show enhanced hedgehog signaling.
Post-myocardial infarction, LepR+ CFs proliferate more than interstitial fibroblasts, dominate the scar, and their genetic ablation reduces fibrosis and improves heart function.
Human hearts also contain LepR+ CFs in an adipocyte-rich niche, showing conservation.
LepR+ adventitial fibroblasts are identified as key drivers of pathological remodeling, redefining leptin's role in cardiac disease.

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