Heterogeneous Cardiac-Derived and Neural Crest-Derived Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells Exhibit Similar Transcriptional Changes After TGFβ Signaling Disruption.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) of cardiac and neural crest origin contribute to the developing proximal aorta and are linked to disease propensity in adults.

Methods

We analyzed single-cell transcriptomes of aortic SMCs from adult mice to determine basal states and changes after disrupting TGFβ (transforming growth factor-β) signaling necessary for aortic homeostasis.

Results

A minority of Myh11 lineage-marked SMCs differentially expressed genes suggestive of embryological origin. Additional analyses in Nkx2-5 and Wnt1 lineage-marked SMCs derived from cardiac and neural crest progenitors, respectively, showed both lineages contributed to a major common cluster and each lineage to a minor distinct cluster. Common cluster SMCs extended from root to arch, cardiac

SUBMITTER: Ren P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12053597 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature