SMAD3 mediates the specification of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived epicardium into progenitors for the cardiac pericyte lineage.

ABSTRACT: Understanding the molecular mechanisms of epicardial epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), particularly in directing cell fate toward epicardial derivatives, is crucial for regenerative medicine using human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived epicardium. Although transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) plays a pivotal role in epicardial biology, orchestrating EMT during embryonic development via downstream signaling through SMAD proteins, the function of SMAD proteins in the epicardium in maintaining vascular homeostasis or mediating the differentiation of various epicardial-derived cells (EPDCs) is not yet well understood. Our study reveals that TGF-β-independent SMAD3 expression autonomously predicts epicardial cell specification and lineage maintenance, acting as a key media

SUBMITTER: Miyoshi Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11561457 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature