Wnt/beta-catenin signaling promotes expansion of Isl-1-positive cardiac progenitor cells through regulation of FGF signaling.

ABSTRACT: The anterior heart field (AHF), which contributes to the outflow tract and right ventricle of the heart, is defined in part by expression of the LIM homeobox transcription factor Isl-1. The importance of Isl-1-positive cells in cardiac development and homeostasis is underscored by the finding that these cells are required for cardiac development and act as cardiac stem/progenitor cells within the postnatal heart. However, the molecular pathways regulating these cells' expansion and differentiation are poorly understood. We show that Isl-1-positive AHF progenitor cells in mice were responsive to Wnt/beta-catenin signaling, and these responsive cells contributed to the outflow tract and right ventricle of the heart. Loss of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling in the AHF caused defective outflow tract

SUBMITTER: Cohen ED 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1891000 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature