On the role of intrinsic and extrinsic forces in early cardiac S‐looping

Background: Looping is a crucial phase during heart development when the initially straight heart tube is transformed into a shape that more closely resembles the mature heart. Although the genetic and biochemical pathways of cardiac looping have been well studied, the biophysical mechanisms that ac...

Ausführliche Beschreibung

Gespeichert in:
Bibliographische Detailangaben
Veröffentlicht in:Developmental dynamics 2013-07, Vol.242 (7), p.801-816
Hauptverfasser: Ramasubramanian, Ashok, Chu‐Lagraff, Quynh B., Buma, Takashi, Chico, Kevin T., Carnes, Meagan E., Burnett, Kyra R., Bradner, Sarah A., Gordon, Shaun S.
Format: Artikel
Sprache:eng
Schlagworte:
Online-Zugang:Volltext
Tags: Tag hinzufügen
Keine Tags, Fügen Sie den ersten Tag hinzu!
Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:Background: Looping is a crucial phase during heart development when the initially straight heart tube is transformed into a shape that more closely resembles the mature heart. Although the genetic and biochemical pathways of cardiac looping have been well studied, the biophysical mechanisms that actually effect the looping process remain poorly understood. Using a combined experimental (chick embryo) and computational (finite element modeling) approach, we study the forces driving early s‐looping when the primitive ventricle moves to its definitive position inferior to the common atrium. Results: New results from our study indicate that the primitive heart has no intrinsic ability to form an s‐loop and that extrinsic forces are necessary to effect early s‐looping. They support previous studies that established an important role for cervical flexure in causing early cardiac s‐looping. Our results also show that forces applied by the splanchnopleure cannot be ignored during early s‐looping and shed light on the role of cardiac jelly. Using available experimental data and computer modeling, we successfully developed and tested a hypothesis for the force mechanisms driving s‐loop formation. Conclusions: Forces external to the primitive heart tube are necessary in the later stages of cardiac looping. Experimental and model results support our proposed hypothesis for forces driving early s‐looping. Developmental Dynamics 242:801–816, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Key Findings The embryonic heart has no intrinsic capability to form an s‐loop. External forces supplied by the splanchnopleure and cervical flexure are necessary for cardiac s‐loop formation. Computer modeling can be used to study the forces involved in s‐loop formation.
ISSN:1058-8388
1097-0177
DOI:10.1002/dvdy.23968