Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026
In Vitro Generation of Heart Field-specific Cardiac Progenitor Cells
Published on: July 3, 2019
Platelet-derived growth factor is involved in the differentiation of second heart field-derived cardiac structures in
Noortje A M Bax1, Heleen Lie-Venema, Rebecca Vicente-Steijn
1Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Insights
Platelet-derived growth factors (PDGFs) are crucial for heart development. This study shows PDGF-A, PDGF-C, and PDGFR-alpha play key roles in avian heart septation by influencing myocardium development.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- A fully functional septated heart requires contributions from second heart field-derived structures.
- Platelet-derived growth factors (PDGFs) are implicated in cardiovascular development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of PDGF-A, PDGF-C, and their receptor PDGFR-alpha in avian heart development.
- To analyze the spatiotemporal expression patterns of these molecules during heart formation.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of gene expression patterns during avian heart development.
- Investigating the localization of PDGF ligands and PDGFR-alpha.
- Employing mechanical inhibition of epicardial outgrowth and chemical disturbance of PDGFR-alpha signaling.
Main Results:
- Spatiotemporal expression of PDGF-A, PDGF-C, and PDGFR-alpha was observed during avian heart development.
- PDGFR-alpha colocalized with PDGF ligands in second heart field-derived myocardium, proepicardial organ, and epicardium.
- Functional studies supported the involvement of PDGF signaling in cardiac development.
Conclusions:
- PDGF-A, PDGF-C, and PDGFR-alpha are functionally important during avian heart development.
- These molecules are expressed in key cardiac progenitor populations, including the second heart field and epicardium.
- Disruption of PDGF signaling impacts cardiac development, highlighting its significance in heart septation.
Abstract:
For the establishment of a fully functional septated heart, addition of myocardium from second heart field-derived structures is important. Platelet-derived growth factors (PDGFs) are known for their role in cardiovascular development. In this study, we aim to elucidate this role of PDGF-A, PDGF-C, and their receptor PDGFR-alpha. We analyzed the expression patterns of PDGF-A, -C, and their receptor PDGFR-alpha during avian heart development. A spatiotemporal pattern of ligands was seen with colocalization of the PDGFR-alpha. This was found in second heart field-derived myocardium as well as the proepicardial organ (PEO) and epicardium. Mechanical inhibition of epicardial outgrowth as well as chemical disturbance of PDGFR-alpha support a functional role of the ligands and the receptor in cardiac development.
