Zebrafish map out route to mending  broken hearts

Researchers co-funded by us have identified a molecule that tells certain stem cells in the embryo whether to become either heart muscle or blood vessel cells.

The discovery – in zebrafish – tells us more about the origin of cells in the adult heart. This takes us another step closer to being able to make new heart muscle to repair the damage caused by heart attack – mending broken hearts.

Intriguingly, the researchers believe that this molecule – called Fibroblast growth factor (Fgf) - is also the evolutionary switch that made complex four-chambered human hearts possible, from the two-chambered 'tube' we see in fish.

This provides important clues to researchers working towards the goal of mending broken hearts

Professor Roger Patient, who led the research, said: "If we can find stem cells in the adult human heart that have the potential to form heart muscle and blood vessels, we may be able to manipulate this Fgf switch and create brand new heart muscle. This could bring significant benefit to heart attack patients or people with heart defects. At the very least, our research will help the production of these cells in the laboratory for use in heart repair.

“Mending a damaged heart requires new muscle and and the blood vessels that nourish it, therefore there is great interest in identifying and manipulating cells that make both.”

Professor Jeremy Pearson, our Associate Medical Director, said: “This excellent study throws new light on how our four-chambered hearts evolved from the simpler structures we see in other animals.  The results significantly increase our understanding of the origins of stem cells found in the adult heart. This provides important clues to researchers working towards the goal of mending broken hearts after heart attack.”

The research was published in the journal Development.