Usage Information
Abstract
Resident cardiac fibroblast–derived (RCF-derived) cardiac myofibroblasts (CMFs) contribute to myocardial repair but also drive adverse ventricular remodeling and contractile dysfunction after myocardial infarction (MI). The sodium-activated potassium channel Slick (Slo2.1) has been described in cardiomyocyte (CM) mitochondria; however, transcriptomic analyses indicate higher Slick expression in RCFs/CMFs. Here, we investigated the role of Slick in cardiac fibroblast function and post-MI remodeling. Using live-cell imaging and whole-cell patch-clamp recordings, we found that plasma membrane Slick channels in RCFs and CMFs regulated potassium (K+) efflux and modulated store-operated calcium entry (SOCE), particularly in CMFs. Global Slick KO and conditional CMF-specific KO hearts exhibited reduced fibrosis and preserved left ventricular function after ischemia/reperfusion injury. This cardioprotection was associated with diminished CMF activation and proliferation, reduced inflammation, and improved CM survival after MI. Collectively, these findings identify fibroblast Slick channels as regulators of SOCE-dependent fibrogenesis and demonstrate that their deletion mitigates maladaptive remodeling and functional decline after MI.
Authors
Jiaqi Yang, Lin Zhu, David Spähn, Melanie Cruz Santos, Sophia Schanz, Selina Maier, Lena Birkenfeld, Helmut Bischof, Anna Roslan, Nina Wettschureck, Oliver Borst, Lucas Matt, Robert Lukowski
Usage data is cumulative from March 2026 through July 2026.
| Usage | JCI | PMC |
|---|---|---|
| Text version | 1,019 | 0 |
| 252 | 0 | |
| Figure | 26 | 0 |
| Supplemental data | 190 | 0 |
| Citation downloads | 192 | 0 |
| Totals | 1,679 | 0 |
| Total Views | 1,679 | |
Usage information is collected from two different sources: this site (JCI) and Pubmed Central (PMC). JCI information (compiled daily) shows human readership based on methods we employ to screen out robotic usage. PMC information (aggregated monthly) is also similarly screened of robotic usage.
Various methods are used to distinguish robotic usage. For example, Google automatically scans articles to add to its search index and identifies itself as robotic; other services might not clearly identify themselves as robotic, or they are new or unknown as robotic. Because this activity can be misinterpreted as human readership, data may be re-processed periodically to reflect an improved understanding of robotic activity. Because of these factors, readers should consider usage information illustrative but subject to change.
