Epicardium and Myocardium Separate From a Common Precursor Pool by Crosstalk Between Bone Morphogenetic Protein– and Fibroblast Growth Factor–Signaling Pathways

Abstract

Our data show that FGF signaling via Mek1/2 is dominant over BMP signaling via Smad and is required to separate the epicardial lineage from precardiac mesoderm. Consequently, myocardial differentiation requires BMP signaling via Smad and inhibition of FGF signaling at the level of Mek1/2. These findings are of clinical interest for the development of regeneration-based therapies for heart disease.