Thrombospondins (TSP), tenascins, Cilp-1, secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC), osteopontin and members of the CCN family are involved in a variety of cardiac pathophysiologic conditions such as MI, cardiac hypertrophy, aging, diabetic cardiomyopathy and valvular disease. The gene discussed is SPARC; the disease is diabetic cardiomyopathy.