Bone morphogenetic protein 4 promotes the differentiation of Tbx18-positive epicardial progenitor cells to pacemaker-like cells.

ABSTRACT: Clarifying the mechanisms via which pacemaker- like cells are generated is critical for identifying novel targets for arrhythmia-associated disorders and constructing pacemakers with the ability to adapt to physiological requirements. T-box 18 (Tbx18)+ epicardial progenitor cells (EPCs) have the potential to differentiate into pacemaker cells. Although bone morphogenetic protein 4 (Bmp4) is likely to contribute, its role and regulatory mechanisms in the differentiation of Tbx18+ EPCs into pacemaker-like cells have remained to be fully elucidated. In the present study, the association between Bmp4, GATA binding protein 4 (Gata4) and hyperpolarization- activated cyclic nucleotide gated potassium channel 4 (Hcn4) to regulate NK2 homeobox 5 (Nkx2.5), which is known to be required for the diffe

SUBMITTER: Wu L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6425233 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature