However, once fibroblasts become activated or the heart suffers injury (e.g., myocardial infarction), fibroblasts may also strongly express other markers such as periostin (POSTN), alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA) or mesenchyme homeobox 1 (MEOX1), among other genetic signatures. The gene discussed is MEOX1; the disease is myocardial infarction.