PUBLICATION

Analysis of heart valve development in larval zebrafish

Authors
Martin, R.T., and Bartman, T.
ID
ZDB-PUB-090526-12
Date
2009
Source
Developmental Dynamics : an official publication of the American Association of Anatomists   238(7): 1796-1802 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Bartman, Thomas
Keywords
heart valve development, extracellular matrix, zebrafish, congenital heart disease, biomechanical forces, epigenetics, epithelial mesenchymal transformation
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Body Patterning/physiology
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Extracellular Matrix/metabolism
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins/genetics
  • Heart Valves/growth & development*
  • Heart Valves/metabolism
  • Larva
  • Models, Biological
  • Organogenesis/physiology
  • Time Factors
  • Zebrafish/embryology*
PubMed
19449301 Full text @ Dev. Dyn.
Abstract
Malformations of the cardiac endocardial cushions (ECs) and valves are common congenital dysmorphisms in newborn infants. Many regulators of EC development have been identified, but the process of valve maturation is less well understood. Zebrafish have been used to understand cardiogenesis through 6 days postfertilization, yet mature heart valves are not present at this stage. By analyzing valve development in larval zebrafish, we identify that valve development proceeds in two phases. Valve elongation occurs through 16 dpf independently of localized cell division. Valve maturation then ensues, resulting from deposition of extracellular matrix and thickening of the valves. Whereas elongation is consistent between larvae, maturation varies based on larval size, suggesting that maturation occurs in response to mechanical forces. Taken together, our studies indicate that zebrafish valve morphogenesis occurs in the larval period, and that zebrafish may provide a unique opportunity to study epigenetic mechanisms leading to human congenital valvular disease, when studied at the appropriate developmental stages.
Genes / Markers
Figures
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Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping