The process of heart tissue formation in humans takes place in two phases in the fourth week: the First Heart Field (left ventricle and both atria) and the Second Heart Field (right ventricle and outflow tract). The research group at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California conducted a study which has identified the main mechanism of formation of heart tissue and helps to understand development of the Second Heart Field as well as the causes of common heart defects in infants.
The study published in the journal Developmental Cell on March 16, 2010, has shown that the formation of the Second Heart Field tissue is regulated by retinoic acid, a vitamin A derivate. By using animal models, the research group has discovered that both deficiency and excess amount of retinoic acid are responsible for common birth defects because retinoic acid acts as stimulant of the differentiation of progenitor cells (cells which have the potency to differentiate into virtually any kind of cells) into heart tissue. Specific molecular markers enabled the team to observe the formation of the outflow tract by the moving cells which according to chief investigator Henry Sucov, Ph.D., resembles a conveyer belt. In animal models with retinoic acid deficiency, the process was halted and resulted in misaligned and shortened outflow tract. Compromised development of the Second Heart Field led to malfunctions such as overriding aorta, double outlet right ventricle and persistent truncus arteriosus which are common in human infants and may be fatal without surgical correction.
Sucov stated that further research is necessary to determine how the findings of their study may help to prevent and correct heart defects in humans. The chief investigator also announced further studies concerning specific treatments for human heart defects on animal models.
Source: University of Southern California, 03-16-2010
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