Cardiac Fibrosis: Mechanobiology, Epigenetics, and the Path to Precision Therapy
Cardiac fibrosis represents a complex pathological process driven by persistent fibroblast activation, dysregulated cardiomyocyte-ECM crosstalk, and maladaptive mechanotransduction, ultimately resulting in myocardial stiffening and progressive heart failure. This review integrates insights from single-cell and spatial transcriptomics, biomechanical studies, and epigenetic profiling to illuminate the cellular heterogeneity and molecular circuits underlying fibrotic remodelling. We highlight emerging therapies including CRISPR-based gene editing, FAP-targeted CAR-T immunotherapy, nanomedicine for selective RNA delivery, and patient-derived cardiac organoids; that collectively position fibrosis as a reversible and actionable target. Finally, we discuss precision medicine strategies leveraging genomics, circulating biomarkers, artificial intelligence, and environmental risk assessment to deliver personalized anti-fibrotic interventions. By uniting mechanobiology, molecular engineering, and clinical innovation, this review charts a translational roadmap toward durable reversal of cardiac fibrosis.
Authors
- Philip Dingli (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3918-2628)
- Andrzej K. Bednarek (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4570-4154)
- Raneem Y. Hammouz (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2726-3922)
- Mohammad Hamouz (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5115-2624)
- Denise Micallef
- Christine Caruana
Institutions
- Mater Dei Hospital (MT)
- Medical University of Lodz (PL)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering
- Published
- 2026-04-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s12195-026-00896-z
- Primary Topic
- Cardiac Fibrosis and Remodeling
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Uniwersytet Medyczny w Lodzi