Andy Wessels

TL;DR: It is shown that either knockout or catalytic inactivation of the DNA repair enzyme thymine DNA glycosylase (TDG) leads to embryonic lethality in mice, and a dual role for TDG in promoting proper epigenetic states during development is highlighted, suggesting a two-step mechanism for DNA demethylation in mammals.

TL;DR: It is considered that a subset of EPDCs continue to differentiate in a variety of different cell types (including coronary endothelium, coronary smooth muscle cells (CoSMCs), interstitial fibroblasts, and atrioventricular cushion mesenchymal cells), whereas other EPDC remain in a more or less undifferentiated state.

TL;DR: It is reported that at least part of the population of the precursors of the coronary endothelium are epicardially-derived cells (EPDCs), and results suggest that EPDC show similar competence to that displayed by bipotential vascular progenitor cells which are able to differentiate into endothelial or smooth muscle depending on their exposure to VEGF or PDGF-BB.

TL;DR: It is suggested that the proper development of ventricular myocardium is dependent on the invasion of undifferentiated, WT1-positive, retinoic acid-synthesizing EPDCs, and it is proposed that an interaction between E PDCs and endocardial (derived) cells is imperative for correct development of the AV cushions.

TL;DR: Although Pax3 itself is extinguished prior to neural crest populating the heart, derivatives of these precursors contribute to the aorticopulmonary septum, indicating that contrary to prior reports, Pax3 is not required for cardiac neural crest migration.