Platelet-derived growth factor is involved in the differentiation of second heart field-derived cardiac structures in chicken embryos

Dev Dyn. 2009 Oct;238(10):2658-69. doi: 10.1002/dvdy.22073.

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.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chick Embryo
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Heart* / anatomy & histology
  • Heart* / embryology
  • Humans
  • Lymphokines / genetics
  • Lymphokines / metabolism*
  • Myocardium / cytology
  • Myocardium / metabolism
  • Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / genetics
  • Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / metabolism*
  • Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha / genetics
  • Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Tissue Distribution

Substances

  • Lymphokines
  • Platelet-Derived Growth Factor
  • platelet-derived growth factor A
  • platelet-derived growth factor C
  • Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha