【Books/review/comments】Mutual Regulation of Cardiovascular and Hematopoietic Development

April 25 2025

Lab: Norika Liu

Paper information

Title: Mutual Regulation of Cardiovascular and Hematopoietic Development

 Norika Liu, Haruko Nakano, Atsushi Nakano

Current Cardiology Reportes April 22, 2025.  doi: 10.1007/s11886-025-02236-5

URL: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11886-025-02236-5

Abstract:

Purpose of Review

The cardiovascular and hematopoietic systems share molecular mechanisms and regulatory interactions across species. Endocardial hematopoiesis, a debated topic in mice, is actually an evolutionarily conserved process from Drosophila. This review explores the origins and significance of endocardial hematopoiesis, highlighting its role in cardiac development and macrophage formation.

Recent Findings

Despite extensive lineage-tracing and transcriptome studies, it remained unclear until single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) identified that endocardial cells possess an intrinsic hematopoietic program independent of known hematopoietic organs. These endocardial-derived macrophages contribute uniquely to cardiac morphogenesis, supporting valve maturation and tissue remodeling.

Summary

Endocardial hematopoiesis is an evolutionarily conserved phenomenon that is essential for developmental process. The heterogeneity of tissue-resident macrophages and their specialized functions in cardiac development have been further unraveled by single-cell analysis. This review provides an evolutionary perspective on endocardial hematopoiesis and highlights its critical contributions of hematopoietic cells to heart formation and homeostasis.