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Signals from both sides: Control of cardiac development by the endocardium and epicardium
Travis K Smith1, David M Bader
1The Stahlman Cardiovascular Research Laboratories, Program for Developmental Biology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 2200 Pierce Ave, 348 Preston Research Building, Nashville, TN 37232-6300, USA.
Abstract:
It is readily apparent that the process of heart development is an intricate one, in which cells derived from many embryonic sources coalesce and coordinate their behaviors and development, resulting in the mature heart. The behaviors and mechanisms of this process are complex, and still incompletely understood. However, it is readily apparent that communication between diverse cell types must be involved in this process. The signaling that emanates from epicardial and endocardial sources is the focus of this review.
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