The Roles of the Extracellular Matrix in Cardiac Structure and Function: A Commemorative Issue in Honor of Dr. Thomas K. Borg

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue is dedicated to Dr. Thomas K. Borg for his substantial contributions to our understanding of the structure–function relationships of the heart, particularly the contributions of the extracellular matrix (ECM).

Dr. Borg was a passionate scientist, energetic collaborator and insightful mentor. He began his illustrious career by receiving his Ph.D. in entomology, utilizing electron microscopy to study the ultrastructure of neurosecretory cells and sensory receptors in insects. Because of his expertise in microscopy, Tom was recruited to Columbia, S.C., in the 1970s to direct the microscopy facility at the new School of Medicine of the University of South Carolina. It was there that he began over four decades of research focused largely on the structure and function of the heart. This began with seminal studies in collaboration with Dr. James Caulfield that characterized the organization and development of the collagen network in the heart. Studies by Tom and others subsequently illustrated that collagen deposition and crosslinking are critical to the mechanical properties, structural integrity, and physiology of the myocardium. Ultrastructural images of the myocardium led to speculation that cardiomyocytes physically interact with ECM components. Collaborations with Drs. Kristofer Rubin, Björn Öbrink, Evy Lundgren, and others from the University of Uppsala and long-time colleague Dr. Louis Terracio provided a foundation for defining how cardiomyocytes interact with components of the extracellular matrix. This group took advantage of the, then relatively novel, use of cultured heart myocytes to identify integrins as the primary ECM receptors in these cells and begin to elucidate the roles of these proteins in the physiology of myocytes and other heart cells. Research such as this by many investigators worldwide has demonstrated the essential role of cell–ECM interactions in cell motility, proliferation, differentiation, and even survival. Dr. Borg had a strong interest in bioengineering, playing an instrumental role in creation of the biomedical engineering program at the University of South Carolina. Some of his later research applied his knowledge of cardiac ECM to engineer model systems that more closely simulated in vivo cardiac biology to advance our understanding of cardiac development and disease.

Dr. Borg’s broad interests and creative insight helped enhance our understanding of heart structure–function relationships, and his collegiality and outgoing nature helped advance the careers of many young scientists. The aim of this Special Issue of Cells is to recognize the impact that Dr. Borg had in advancing our understanding of the structure–function relationships of the heart at the cellular level. In this Special Issue, we invite contributions in the form of original articles and reviews broadly related to the cellular biology of cardiac structure and function.

Prof. Dr. Wayne Carver
Prof. Dr. Edie Goldsmith
Guest Editors

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• collagen
• integrin
• extracellular matrix
• cardiomyocyte
• fibroblast
• heart bioengineering