Anthrax toxin receptor 1 (ANTXR1), an integrin-like transmembrane protein, is a docking platform for anthrax toxin and mediates cell–extracellular matrix interactions. New work shows that ANTXR1 stabilizes transforming growth factor-β receptors on cardiac fibroblasts, leading to profibrotic signaling and pathological remodeling of the heart.
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Acknowledgements
We thank E. Lau (University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus) for critical input. T.A.M. was supported by US National Institutes of Health grants R01HL171711 and HL181226 and an American Heart Association Collaborative Sciences Award (24CSA1255857). J.G.C. received support from US National Institutes of Health project grant T32GM158468
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T.A.M. is a co-founder of Myracle Therapeutics, is on the scientific advisory boards of Eikonizo Therapeutics and Revier Therapeutics and is a consultant for Augustine Therapeutics.
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Cox, J.G., McKinsey, T.A. Waging war against cardiac fibrosis by targeting the anthrax toxin receptor. Nat Cardiovasc Res 4, 1451–1453 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44161-025-00741-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s44161-025-00741-y
