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Endodermal growth factors promote endocardial precursor cell formation from precardiac mesoderm
Yukiko Sugi1, Roger R Markwald
1Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy and Cardiovascular Developmental Biology Center, Medical University of South Carolina, 171 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425, USA. sugiy@musc.edu
Developmental Biology
|October 22, 2003
Summary
Transforming growth factors beta (TGFbetas) induce endocardial precursor cell delamination from precardiac mesoderm. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) promotes early vasculogenesis, forming cord-like structures.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Endocardial precursor cells (angioblasts) emerge from precardiac mesoderm.
- Endodermal secretory products promote cell delamination and endothelial marker expression.
Purpose of the Study:
- Identify endodermal molecules inducing endocardial precursor cell formation.
- Investigate the roles of TGFbetas, BMP-2, VEGF, and FGF-2 in endocardial development.
Main Methods:
- RT-PCR detected TGFbeta 2, 3, and 4 in anterior endoderm.
- Quail precardiac mesodermal explants were cultured with growth factors.
- Endothelial marker QH-1 and cytotactin expression were analyzed.
Main Results:
- TGFbetas 1-3 induced QH-1-positive mesenchymal cell formation and invasion.
- BMP-2 promoted epithelial monolayer formation without QH-1 expression.
- VEGF induced QH-1 expression in surface outgrowths; FGF-2 induced QH-1 and cell separation.
- TGFbetas combined with VEGF enhanced QH-1-positive cord formation.
Conclusions:
- TGFbetas mediate the initial delamination of endothelial precursor cells.
- VEGF primarily affects early vasculogenesis and cord-like structure formation.