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Origin and fate of cardiac mesenchyme
Author(s) -
Snarr Brian S.,
Kern Christine B.,
Wessels Andy
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
developmental dynamics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.634
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1097-0177
pISSN - 1058-8388
DOI - 10.1002/dvdy.21725
Subject(s) - mesenchyme , biology , neural crest , endocardium , heart development , morphogenesis , microbiology and biotechnology , cell fate determination , embryonic stem cell , mesoderm , mesenchymal stem cell , cardiac function curve , anatomy , medicine , embryo , genetics , heart failure , gene , transcription factor
The development of the embryonic heart is dependent upon the generation and incorporation of different mesenchymal subpopulations that derive from intra‐ and extra‐cardiac sources, including the endocardium, epicardium, neural crest, and second heart field. Each of these populations plays a crucial role in cardiovascular development, in particular in the formation of the valvuloseptal apparatus. Notwithstanding shared mechanisms by which these cells are generated, their fate and function differ profoundly by their originating source. While most of our early insights into the origin and fate of the cardiac mesenchyme has come from experimental studies in avian model systems, recent advances in transgenic mouse technology has enhanced our ability to study these cell populations in the mammalian heart. In this article, we will review the current understanding of the role of cardiac mesenchyme in cardiac morphogenesis and discuss several new paradigms based on recent studies in the mouse. Developmental Dynamics 237:2804–2819, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.