Epicardial-derived cell epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and fate specification require PDGF receptor signaling.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

In early heart development, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor expression in the heart ventricles is restricted to the epicardium. Previously, we showed that PDGFRβ is required for coronary vascular smooth muscle cell (cVSMC) development, but a role for PDGFRα has not been identified. Therefore, we investigated the combined and independent roles of these receptors in epicardial development.

Objective

To understand the contribution of PDGF receptors in epicardial development and epicardial-derived cell fate determination.

Methods and results

By generating mice with epicardial-specific deletion of the PDGF receptors, we found that epicardial epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was defective. Sox9, an SRY-related transcription factor, was red

SUBMITTER: Smith CL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3134964 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature