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

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

Developmental dynamics : an official publication of the American Association of Anatomists (2009-08-26)
Noortje A M Bax, Heleen Lie-Venema, Rebecca Vicente-Steijn, Steven B Bleyl, Nynke M S Van Den Akker, Saskia Maas, Robert E Poelmann, Adriana C Gittenberger-de Groot
PMID19705434
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.