Myocardial fibrosis (MF) is a complex pathological process, involving multiple systems, many different mechanisms and a variety of cytokines. Among those cytokines transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) is an important pro-fibrotic factor. In the pathological conditions by classical TGF-β1/smads pathways myocardial fibrosis may be induced and developed eventually to heart failure. In this paper, high blood pressure, diabetes, radiation damage and viral myocarditis mechanisms leading to MF are reviewed, with a focus on the role of TGF-β1 signaling pathway in the MF, so as to provide more specific and effective targets for the prevention and treatment of myocardial fibrosis and heart failure due to different reasons.

Myocardial fibrosis  /  TGF-β1  /  cardiac fibroblasts