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

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-␣. We analyzed the expression patterns of PDGF-A, -C, and their receptor PDGFR-␣ during avian heart development. A spatiotemporal pattern of ligands was seen with colocalization of the PDGFR-␣. 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-␣ support a functional role of the ligands and the receptor in cardiac development. Developmental Dynamics

Progenitor Cells Identified by PDGFR-Alpha Expression in the Developing and Diseased Human Heart

“…However, embryonic cardiac PDGFRa expression has been studied in mice [4,5,7] and avian species [30]. These reports support our findings of robust epicardial PDGFRa expression.…”

Cilia and coordination of signaling networks during heart development

“…22 Interestingly, PDGFRα and its specific ligands, PDGF-A/C, 179 localize to the ventricles and the OFT and AV cushions, and the myocardium of the OFT, VS, and AS during heart development. 180,181 These regions correspond to ciliated areas of the heart, further emphasizing a link between PDGFRα signaling and the primary cilium. In particular, the spatiotemporal expression of PDGFRα and PDGF-A/C ligands suggests a role of this signaling pathway during remodeling of the myocardium and in septation of atria, ventricles, and OFT, 180,182,183 and in agreement with this, alteration in PDGF signaling affects myofibril differentiation and migration.…”

“…180,181 These regions correspond to ciliated areas of the heart, further emphasizing a link between PDGFRα signaling and the primary cilium. In particular, the spatiotemporal expression of PDGFRα and PDGF-A/C ligands suggests a role of this signaling pathway during remodeling of the myocardium and in septation of atria, ventricles, and OFT, 180,182,183 and in agreement with this, alteration in PDGF signaling affects myofibril differentiation and migration. 184,185 Furthermore, studies from mice show that mutated or absent PDGFRα, results in prenatal death and heart defects including thinned myocardium, and septa, valve, OFT, and aortic arch malformations.…”

Characterization of Platelet-Derived Growth Factor-A Expression in Mouse Tissues Using a lacZ Knock-In Approach

“…Several PDGF-A antibodies are available commercially, and their use in immunohistochemistry (IHC) has been reported in tissues from human [35]–[37], rat [38], chicken [39], and mouse [40]. To our knowledge, none of the reported PDGF-A immunohistochemistry protocols have been validated using Pdgfa knockout tissue as negative control.…”