Stanford Researchers Uncover Atypical GPCR Signaling Pathway Driving Heart Scarring

A Stanford-led study has identified an atypical GPCR signaling pathway that drives heart scarring, a condition linked to worse outcomes in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. This discovery focuses on the signaling molecules that activate cardiac fibroblasts, offering a concrete starting point for developing therapies to reverse or halt the scarring process. The research, which combined human stem-cell models, engineered tissues, and animal studies, represents a significant step in cardiovascular research.