An Nkx2-5/Bmp2/Smad1 negative feedback loop controls heart progenitor specification and proliferation

Cell. 2007 Mar 9;128(5):947-59. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2007.01.042.

Abstract

During heart development the second heart field (SHF) provides progenitor cells for most cardiomyocytes and expresses the homeodomain factor Nkx2-5. We now show that feedback repression of Bmp2/Smad1 signaling by Nkx2-5 critically regulates SHF proliferation and outflow tract (OFT) morphology. In the cardiac fields of Nkx2-5 mutants, genes controlling cardiac specification (including Bmp2) and maintenance of the progenitor state were upregulated, leading initially to progenitor overspecification, but subsequently to failed SHF proliferation and OFT truncation. In Smad1 mutants, SHF proliferation and deployment to the OFT were increased, while Smad1 deletion in Nkx2-5 mutants rescued SHF proliferation and OFT development. In Nkx2-5 hypomorphic mice, which recapitulate human congenital heart disease (CHD), OFT anomalies were also rescued by Smad1 deletion. Our findings demonstrate that Nkx2-5 orchestrates the transition between periods of cardiac induction, progenitor proliferation, and OFT morphogenesis via a Smad1-dependent negative feedback loop, which may be a frequent molecular target in CHD.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2
  • Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Proliferation
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Embryo, Mammalian
  • Feedback, Physiological*
  • Heart / embryology
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / genetics
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / metabolism
  • Homeobox Protein Nkx-2.5
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
  • Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • LIM-Homeodomain Proteins
  • Mice
  • Multipotent Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Multipotent Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Myocardium / cytology*
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / cytology*
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / metabolism
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
  • Phenotype
  • Smad1 Protein / metabolism*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism*

Substances

  • BMP2 protein, human
  • Bmp2 protein, mouse
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2
  • Bone Morphogenetic Proteins
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Homeobox Protein Nkx-2.5
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • LIM-Homeodomain Proteins
  • Nkx2-5 protein, mouse
  • Smad1 Protein
  • Smad1 protein, mouse
  • Transcription Factors
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • insulin gene enhancer binding protein Isl-1