Cardiac Cell–Matrix Mechanotransduction: Linking Extracellular Matrix Properties to Signaling and Function
A special issue of Cells (ISSN 2073-4409). This special issue belongs to the section "Cells of the Cardiovascular System".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 1 December 2026 | Viewed by 40
Special Issue Editors
Interests: cardiac fibrosis; collagen; extracellular matrix; mechanoregulation; mechanobiology
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The cardiac extracellular matrix (ECM) is a highly organized 3D network composed of structural proteins such as type I and type III collagen, adhesive glycoproteins, proteoglycans, and glycosaminoglycans. ECM properties, such as its stiffness, fiber alignment, viscoelasticity and degradability, can influence mechanotransduction and regulate cardiac cell behavior. Especially in cardiac disease states, altered ECM mechanics drive dysfunctional signaling, contributing to cardiac dysfunction. Understanding the processes involved in cardiac cell–matrix mechanotransduction could provide the foundation for developing novel therapies that target the mechanical environment of the heart.
This Special Issue aims to discuss mechanotransduction in both healthy and cardiac disease contexts (especially in cardiac fibrosis), the ECM composition beyond stiffness, and fibroblast–cardiomyocyte cross-talk.
We therefore invite researchers to submit original research articles or reviews.
Dr. Maja Theresa Dieterlen
Dr. Ricardo A. Spampinato
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Cells is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- mechanotransduction
- extracellular matrix
- collagen
- integrin
- cardiac fibrosis
- cell signaling
- cardiac function
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
