Angiotensin II increases periostin expression via Ras/p38 MAPK/CREB and ERK1/2/TGF-β1 pathways in cardiac fibroblasts

AimsAngiotensin II (AngII) is involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation contributing to heart failure. Periostin, a 90 kDa ECM protein, is a key regulator of cardiac fibrosis, and its expression is significantly higher in failing hearts. We determined the modulatory effect of AngII on periostin level and explored the possible signal transduction mechanism.