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Updated: Mar 9, 2026
Derivation of Cardiac Progenitor Cells from Embryonic Stem Cells
Published on: January 12, 2015
Developmental origin of postnatal cardiomyogenic progenitor cells
Yuan-Hung Liu1, Ling-Ping Lai2, Shih-Yun Huang3
1Section of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Center, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Pan Chiao, New Taipei City, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taiwan; College of Informatics, Yuan Ze University, Chungli, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Section of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Center, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Pan Chiao, New Taipei City, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taiwan; College of Informatics, Yuan Ze University, Chungli, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Postnatal cardiomyogenesis involves Nkx2.5 enhancer-expressing cells originating from embryonic epicardial cells. These cells are cardiomyogenic progenitors, differentiating into cardiomyocytes after myocardial infarction.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Understanding the cellular sources of new cardiomyocytes is crucial for cardiac repair.
- The role of Nkx2.5 enhancer-expressing cells in postnatal heart regeneration remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the cell origin of Nkx2.5 enhancer-expressing cells during postnatal cardiomyogenesis.
- To assess the cardiomyogenic potential of these cells.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Nkx2.5 enhancer-eGFP (Nkx2.5 enh-eGFP) reporter mice.
- Employed lineage tracing via Cre-mediated recombination in Nkx2.5-eGFP/ROSA26 reporter mice.
- Analyzed cell differentiation potential both in vitro and in vivo, including post-myocardial infarction models.
Main Results:
- Nkx2.5 enhancer-expressing cells demonstrated cardiomyogenic potential, differentiating into cardiomyocytes.
- A significant increase in Nkx2.5-eGFP+ cells was observed after experimental myocardial infarction (MI).
- Post-MI Nkx2.5-eGFP+ cells were traced back to embryonic epicardial cells, excluding other cardiac cell types.
Conclusions:
- Postnatal Nkx2.5 enhancer-expressing cells function as cardiomyogenic progenitor cells.
- These progenitor cells are derived from embryonic epicardium-derived cells.
- This finding clarifies a key cellular mechanism in postnatal heart regeneration.
