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Updated: Jun 10, 2026
07:44
Epicardial Outgrowth Culture Assay and Ex Vivo Assessment of Epicardial-derived Cell Migration
Published on: March 18, 2016
Epicardial spindle orientation controls cell entry into the myocardium
Mingfu Wu1, Christopher L Smith, James A Hall
1Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-9148, USA.
Developmental Cell
|July 21, 2010
Summary
Epicardial cells control heart development through cell division orientation. Beta-catenin and Numb proteins regulate this process, guiding cell migration during heart morphogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
- Cardiovascular Research
Background:
- Epicardial cells are crucial for heart development, undergoing epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and migration.
- The molecular mechanisms governing epicardial EMT and migration are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of mitotic spindle orientation in epicardial EMT.
- To identify cellular signals regulating spindle orientation in epicardial cells.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of mitotic spindle orientation in epicardial cells during heart morphogenesis.
- Genetic manipulation to study the roles of beta-catenin, Numb, and Numblike in epicardial cells.
- Assessment of adherens junctions and protein localization.
Main Results:
- Epicardial cells display distinct mitotic spindle orientations (parallel or perpendicular to the basement membrane).
- Perpendicular cell division directs epicardial cells into the myocardium.
- Loss of beta-catenin disrupts adherens junctions and randomizes spindle orientation.
- Disruption of Numb/Numblike expression also leads to randomized spindle orientation.
Conclusions:
- Directed mitotic spindle orientation is a key factor in epicardial EMT.
- A beta-catenin and Numb-dependent junctional complex regulates spindle orientation during heart development.
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