Fedak, PaulPark, Daniel2017-07-062017-07-0620172017Park, D. (2017). Expression and Role of Proteoglycan 4/Lubricin in the Human Pericardium: Implications as a Therapeutic to Prevent Post-Operative Pericardial Adhesions (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/26131http://hdl.handle.net/11023/3931Retrosternal pericardial adhesions form post-cardiac surgery and are associated with greater mortality risks for patients undergoing re-sternotomies. Fibrous adhesion development is mediated by cardiac myofibroblasts. Expression of proteoglycan 4 (PRG4) in the human pericardial anatomy and the biological functions of recombinant human PRG4 on human cardiac myofibroblasts was investigated. Expression of PRG4 in the human pericardial fluid and localized expression of PRG4 by pericardial mesothelial cells lining the pericardial cavity was observed. Recombinant human PRG4 prevented human cardiac myofibroblast adhesion to coated surfaces, attenuated transforming growth factor-β1 mediated collagen matrix gel contraction, decreased collagen fiber alignment by activated cardiac myofibroblasts and increased cell roundness. Replacing the lost endogenous PRG4 found in pericardial fluid with recombinant human PRG4 could attenuate the formation of post-operative pericardial adhesions and increase the safety and feasibility of re-sternotomies.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.Medicine and SurgeryPericardiumCardiac MyofibroblastProteoglycan 4master thesishttp://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/26131