There were significant changes in expression of a number of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins (Table 2 and Supplementary Data 1): fibulin 5 (FBLN5) (FC = 2.7, P = 1.16 × 10−5), EGF-containing fibulin-like extracellular matrix protein 1 (EFEMP1) (FC = 3.4, P = 1.1 × 10−4) and microfibrillar-associated protein 4 (MFAP4), a component of elastin fibres (FC = 3.14, P = 1.7 × 10−4), which were all also significantly differential in DCM vs Donor hearts, indicative of common remodelling pathways. This evidence concerns the gene MFAP4 and familial dilated cardiomyopathy.