Work

Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling during Cardiac Development and Repair

Year: 2014

Type: article

Abstract: Active Wnt/β-catenin signaling is essential for proper cardiac specification, progenitor expansion and myocardial growth. During development, the mass of the embryonic heart increases multiple times to achieve the dimensions of adult ventricular chambers. Cell division in the embryonic heart is fairly present, whereas cell turnover in the adult myocardium is extremely low. Understanding of embryonic cardiomyocyte cell-replication, therefore, could improve strategies for cardiac regenerative therapeutics. Here, we review which role Wnt signaling plays in cardiac development and highlight a selection of attempts that have been made to modulate Wnt signaling after cardiac ischemic injury to improve cardiac function and reduce infarct size.

Source: Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease

DOI: 10.3390/jcdd1010098

Authors: Jan Buikema, Peter-Paul Zwetsloot, Pieter Doevendans, Ibrahim Domian, Joost Sluijter

Institutions: Harvard University, University Medical Center Utrecht, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Stem Cell Institute

Language: English

Topic: Congenital heart defects research

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,258