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Published on: January 7, 2019
C-kit expression identifies cardiac precursor cells in neonatal mice.
Michael Craven1, Michael I Kotlikoff, Alyson S Nadworny
1Biomedical Sciences Department, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|January 7, 2012
Summary
Scientists identified a multipotent cardiovascular precursor cell in postnatal hearts. This cell, marked by c-kit expression, can be isolated and differentiated into all heart cell types.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Stem Cell Research
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Mammalian heart mesodermal lineages (smooth muscle, endothelial, cardiac) originate from a common multipotent cardiovascular precursor.
- Identifying these precursor cells is crucial for understanding heart development and regeneration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize multipotent cardiovascular precursor cells in the early postnatal mammalian heart.
- To determine if c-kit expression can serve as a reliable marker for these precursor cells.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) transgenic mouse model (c-kit(BAC)-EGFP) to track c-kit expression.
- Isolated and expanded cells expressing c-kit from early postnatal hearts.
- Differentiated isolated cells in vitro into smooth muscle, endothelial, and cardiac lineages.
Main Results:
- c-kit expression identifies a multipotent cardiovascular precursor cell population in the early postnatal heart.
- These c-kit-positive cells can be isolated and expanded in vitro.
- In vitro differentiation yielded all three major cardiac cell lineages.
Conclusions:
- c-kit is a valid marker for identifying multipotent cardiovascular precursor cells in the postnatal heart.
- These precursor cells hold potential for cardiac tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
