Project description:The mammalian heart contains multiple cell types that appear progressively during embryonic development. Advances in determining cardiac lineage diversification has often been limited by the unreliability of genetic tracers. Here we combine clonal analysis, genetic lineage tracing, tissue transplantation and mutant characterization to investigate the lineage relationships between epicardium, arterial mesothelial cells (AMCs) and the coronary vasculature. We report a contribution of the second heart field (SHF) to a vasculogenic niche composed of AMCs and sub-mesothelial cells at the base of the pulmonary artery. Sub-mesothelial cells from this niche differentiate into lymphatic endothelial cells and, in close association with AMC-derived cells, contribute to, and are essential for the development of ventral cardiac lymphatics. In addition, regionalized epicardial/mesothelial retinoic acid signaling regulates lymphangiogenesis, contributing to the niche properties. These results uncover a SHF vasculogenic contribution to coronary lymphatic development through a local niche at the base of the great arteries.
Project description:Major depressive disorder is one of the most common mental health conditions. Meningeal lymphatics are essential for drainage of molecules in the cerebrospinal fluid to the peripheral immune system. Their potential role in depression-like behaviour has not been investigated. Here, we show in mice, sub-chronic variable stress as a model of depression-like behaviour impairs meningeal lymphatics in females but not in males. Manipulations of meningeal lymphatics regulate the sex difference in the susceptibility to stress-induced depression- and anxiety-like behaviors in mice, as well as alterations of the medial prefrontal cortex and the ventral tegmental area, brain regions critical for emotional regulation. Together, our findings suggest meningeal lymphatic impairment contributes to susceptibility to stress in mice, and that restoration of the meningeal lymphatics might have potential for modulation of depression-like behaviour.
Project description:Our study has identified a novel regulatory role of cardiac lymphatics in heart development, particularly in cardiomyocyte proliferation and survival. To investigate the molecular basis of this cardiac lymphatics-dependent effects, We then performed RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of the ventricular portions of E17.5 controls and Prox1 conditional nulls (embryos devoid of cardiac lymphatic development). Gene set expression analysis (GSEA) revealed that in Prox1 conditional null hearts, genes and pathways related to cell cycle were greatly reduced; instead, expression of genes and pathways involved in apoptosis were enriched. Our study has identified a novel regulatory role of cardiac lymphatics in heart development, particularly in cardiomyocyte proliferation and survival. To investigate the molecular basis of this cardiac lymphatics-dependent effects, We then performed RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of the ventricular portions of E17.5 controls and Prox1 conditional nulls (embryos devoid of cardiac lymphatic development). Gene set expression analysis (GSEA) revealed that in Prox1 conditional null hearts, genes and pathways related to cell cycle were greatly reduced; instead, expression of genes and pathways involved in apoptosis were enriched.
Project description:Purpose: Profile global gene expression of intestinal lymphatics to compare with published datasets Methods: Intestinal tissues were digested, lymphatic endothelial cells were sorted using lymphatic markers including CD31, Podoplanin, Lyve1. Total RNA was isolated from sorted cells using the Direct-Zol RNA MiniPrep kit (Zymo). Samples were submitted for bulk RNA-Sequencing. Conclusions: Gobal gene expression profile of intestinal lymphatics for further comparison with published datasets
Project description:Cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) play critical roles in heart development, homeostasis, and disease. The limited availability of human CFs from native heart impedes investigations of CF biology and their role in disease. Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) provide a highly renewable and genetically defined cell source, but efficient methods to generate CFs from hPSCs have not been described. Here, we show differentiation of hPSCs using sequential modulation of Wnt and FGF signaling to generate second heart field progenitors that efficiently give rise to hPSC-CFs. The hPSC-CFs resemble native heart CFs in cell morphology, proliferation, gene expression, fibroblast marker expression, production of extracellular matrix and myofibroblast transformation induced by TGFβ1 and angiotensin II. Furthermore, hPSC-CFs exhibit a more embryonic phenotype when compared to fetal and adult primary human CFs. Co-culture of hPSC-CFs with hPSC-derived cardiomyocytes distinctly alters the electrophysiological properties (EP) of the cardiomyocytes compared to co-culture with dermal fibroblasts (DFs). The hPSC-CFs provide a powerful cell source for research, drug discovery, precision medicine, and therapeutic applications in cardiac regeneration.