Comparison of fibrogenesis in liver and heart: systemic and organ specific genetic determinants of experimental fibrosis

Background: Various chronic human diseases result in organ fibrosis, i.e. excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix. Fibrosis is a multifactorial trait determined by both genetic and exogenous factors such as xenobiotics. Our aim is to compare fibrogenesis in liver and heart in an experimental model to dissect common and organ specific mechanisms of fibrosis. Further, we availed of a systems genetics approach to identify genetic modifiers of hepatic and cardiac fibrosis. Methods: We induced fibrosis in the inbred mouse strains C57BL/6J (B) and DBA/2J (D, n=6 per group, males) by administration of the NO syn…