Heart

The body responds to various cardiac injuries via complex acute and chronic adaptive processes to maintain muscular pump function. Central to this process is inflammation and immune cell signalling. For example, in the setting of acute ischemic injury, immune-mediated activation of cardiac fibrosis is necessary to avoid catastrophic myocardial rupture. Activation of resident interstitial fibroblasts and recruitment of those derived from the epicardium result in scar formation that maintains chamber integrity.