Sculpting the cardiac outflow tract

Birth Defects Res C Embryo Today. 2003 Feb;69(1):38-45. doi: 10.1002/bdrc.10007.

Abstract

The cardiac outflow tract is the site of anomalies that affect a substantial proportion of individuals with congenital heart defects. The morphogenesis of this site is complex, and requires coordinated development of many cell types and tissues. It is therefore not surprising that developmental mistakes arise here, and that the steps and mechanisms of morphogenesis are still controversial and poorly understood, despite advances in molecular techniques. Recent findings have provided new insight into mechanisms of outflow tract morphogenesis, including clarification of its origins and the fate of cardiomyocytes, as well as invading cell populations. Application of new and old techniques and a wide range of approaches to tackle the unanswered questions about the outflow tract calls for collaboration among investigators from different disciplines including anatomists, physiologists, and molecular biologists.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aorta, Thoracic / abnormalities
  • Aorta, Thoracic / embryology
  • Aortic Valve / abnormalities
  • Aortic Valve / embryology
  • Apoptosis
  • Chick Embryo
  • Fetal Heart / abnormalities
  • Fetal Heart / growth & development
  • Heart / embryology*
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / embryology*
  • Heart Septal Defects / embryology
  • Heart Septum / embryology
  • Heart Ventricles / embryology
  • Humans
  • Morphogenesis
  • Myocardium / cytology
  • Pulmonary Artery / abnormalities
  • Pulmonary Artery / embryology
  • Pulmonary Valve / abnormalities
  • Pulmonary Valve / embryology
  • Ventricular Outflow Obstruction / embryology*
  • Zebrafish / embryology