Fibroblast-specific genetic dissection of TGFß-Smad2/3 signaling in cardiac fibrosis

Overall goal: To elucidate fibroblast-specific role of TGFß-Smad2/3 signaling in fibroblast activation and their differentiation to myofibroblasts. Purpose of analysis: To generate transcriptional profile of Smad2/3 and TGFßreceptors1/2-deficient fibroblasts in the context of pathological cardiac fibrosis. Overall design: Experimental structure: Transcriptional profile generated using RNAseq and differential gene expression analyses of fibroblasts lacking either Smad2/3 or TGFbreceptors1/2 fibroblasts isolated from stressed/diseased hearts.