Building and Repairing the Heart: What Can We Learn from Embryonic Development?

• Type: Another Publication in an International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2014

Authors

Freire, AG (Author) Other; Resende, TP (Author) Other; Perpetua Pinto do O (Author) ICBAS

Journal

Title: BioMed Research International

Vol. 2014

Pages: 1-8

ISSN: 2314-6133

Publisher: Hindawi

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 3 Citations

Scopus - 7 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-009-B6T

DOI: 10.1155/2014/679168

Abstract (EN): Mammalian heart formation is a complex morphogenetic event that depends on the correct temporal and spatial contribution of distinct cell sources. During cardiac formation, cellular specification, differentiation, and rearrangement are tightly regulated by an intricate signaling network. Over the last years, many aspects of this network have been uncovered not only due to advances in cardiac development comprehension but also due to the use of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) in vitro model system. Additionally, several of these pathways have been shown to be functional or reactivated in the setting of cardiac disease. Knowledge withdrawn from studying heart development, ESCs differentiation, and cardiac pathophysiology may be helpful to envisage new strategies for improved cardiac repair/regeneration. In this review, we provide a comparative synopsis of the major signaling pathways required for cardiac lineage commitment in the embryo and murine ESCs. The involvement and possible reactivation of these pathways following heart injury and their role in tissue recovery will also be discussed.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 8