Myocardial β-Catenin-BMP2 signaling promotes mesenchymal cell proliferation during endocardial cushion formation

Abstract

Abnormal endocardial cushion formation is a major cause of congenital heart valve disease, which is a common birth defect with significant morbidity and mortality. Although β-catenin and BMP2 are two well-known regulators of endocardial cushion formation, their interaction in this process is largely unknown. Here, we report that deletion of β-catenin in myocardium results in formation of hypoplastic endocardial cushions accompanying a decrease of mesenchymal cell proliferation. Loss of β-catenin reduced Bmp2 expression in myocardium a Show more