Scientists first recorded the beginning of heart formation in mice embryos

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For the first time, scientists have recorded how the heart cells of the embryo mice begin to organize into the heart form in the early stages of development. Thanks to advanced microscopy, researchers managed to observe this process in real time.

This is stated in a study whose results Posted in a scientific journal The imbo journal, writes The Guardian.

According to scientists, it can open new prospects for understanding birth defects, which are often diagnosed in infants.

« This is the first time we were able to watch the heart cells so close and so long during mammalian development.

For the first time, we had to grow embryos in dishes for a long time (from a few hours to several days) and what we found was absolutely unexpected « , – said senior author of the study Kenzo Ivanovich from the Institute of Children’s Health at the University College of London (United Kingdom).

Unique videos were received thanks to improved light microscopy. This method enabled scientists to observe gastrulation – a key stage during which cellular lines are laid in the embryo and the main axes of its future body are determined.

Shortly afterwards, the cells of the heart muscle are « organized » into a large tube, which is divided into areas – they will later become walls and chambers of the heart. In infants with cardiac defects during this process, a hole may form.

With the help of fluorescent markers, the team marked cells of the heart muscle (cardiomyocytes), forcing them to glow in different colors. The pictures were taken every two minutes for 40 hours to fix how the cells move, divide and form an organ. This allowed the team to see when and where the first cells forming a heart appeared in the embryo.

About the sixth day of mouse embryo, heart cells emerge quickly and demonstrate a high level of organization. They move not chaotic, but by clear trajectories that determine their future role in the formation of ventricles or atria.

« Our results show that the definition of heart destiny and the directional movement of cells can be regulated much earlier in the embryo than modern models.

This radically changes our understanding of heart development, showing that what seems chaotic cell migration is actually regulated by hidden patterns that ensure the correct formation of the heart « , – said Kenzo Ivanovich.

The researchers’ team believes that the data obtained can help you better understand and treat congenital heart defects, as well as accelerate progress in the cultivation of cardiac tissue in laboratory conditions for its further use in regenerative medicine.

We used to tell you that scientists made The world’s first renal tissue transplant between rats embryos.