Msx1creERT2knock‐In allele: A useful tool to target embryonic and adult cardiac valves

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Summary: Heart valve development begins with the endothelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) of endocardial cells. Although lineage studies have demonstrated contributions from cardiac neural crest and epicardium to semilunar and atrioventricular (AV) valve formation, respectively, most valve mesenchyme derives from the endocardial EMT. SpecificCremouse lines for fate‐mapping analyses of valve endocardial cells are limited.Msx1displayed expression in AV canal endocardium and cushion mesenchyme between E9.5 and E11.5, when EMT is underway. Additionally, previous studies have demonstrated that deletion ofMsx1and its paralogMsx2results in hypoplastic AV cushions and impaired endocardial signaling. A knock‐in tamoxifen‐inducible Cre line was recently generated (Msx1CreERT2) and characterized during embryonic development and after birth, and was shown to recapitulate the endogenousMsx1expression pattern. Here, we further analyze this knock‐in allele and track the Msx1‐expressing cells and their descendants during cardiac development with a particular focus on their contribution to the valves and their precursors. Thus,Msx1CreERT2mice represent a useful model for lineage tracing and conditional gene manipulation of endocardial and mesenchymal cushion cells essential to understand mechanisms of valve development and remodeling. genesis 53:337–345, 2015.
Funding Information
  • Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale (DPC20111123002)

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