The epicardium as a hub for heart regeneration.

TitleThe epicardium as a hub for heart regeneration.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2018
AuthorsCao, J, Poss, KD
JournalNat Rev Cardiol
Volume15
Issue10
Pagination631-647
Date Published2018 Oct
ISSN1759-5010
Abstract

After decades of directed research, no effective regenerative therapy is currently available to repair the injured human heart. The epicardium, a layer of mesothelial tissue that envelops the heart in all vertebrates, has emerged as a new player in cardiac repair and regeneration. The epicardium is essential for muscle regeneration in the zebrafish model of innate heart regeneration, and the epicardium also participates in fibrotic responses in mammalian hearts. This structure serves as a source of crucial cells, such as vascular smooth muscle cells, pericytes, and fibroblasts, during heart development and repair. The epicardium also secretes factors that are essential for proliferation and survival of cardiomyocytes. In this Review, we describe recent advances in our understanding of the biology of the epicardium and the effect of these findings on the candidacy of this structure as a therapeutic target for heart repair and regeneration.

DOI10.1038/s41569-018-0046-4
Alternate JournalNat Rev Cardiol
PubMed ID29950578
PubMed Central IDPMC6143401
Grant ListR01 HL081674 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
R01 HL131319 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
R01 HL136182 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States