Congenital heart disease

Abstract

Cardiogenesis is a complex process involving different cell types, such as muscle, endothelial, neural crest, and matrix cells. These cells follow a protocol that emerges through changes in gene expression induced by developmental and mechanical cues. Data from human genetics and animal mutants suggest that most congenital heart malformations are arise from gene alterations. The next challenge will be to unravel the sequence of molecular decisions that result in the formation of heart and blood vessels from the first embryonic tissue layers. This knowledge is expected to result in novel strategies for diagnosis, treatment or prevention of heart diseases. © 2006 Humana Press Inc.