Cardiac Neural Crest and Cardiac Regeneration

Neural crest cells (NCCs) are a vertebrate-specific, multipotent stem cell population that have the ability to migrate and differentiate into various cell populations throughout the embryo during embryogenesis. The heart is a muscular and complex organ whose primary function is to pump blood and nutrients throughout the body. Mammalian hearts, such as those of humans, lose their regenerative ability shortly after birth. However, a few vertebrate species, such as zebrafish, have the ability to self-repair/regenerate after cardiac damage. Recent research has discovered the potential functional ability and contribution of cardiac NCCs to cardiac regeneration through the use of various vertebrate species and pluripotent stem cell-derived NCCs. Here, we review the neural crest's regenerative capacity in various tissues and organs, and in particular, we summarize the characteristics of cardiac NCCs between species and their roles in cardiac regeneration. We further discuss emerging and future work to determine the potential contributions of NCCs for disease treatment.

Automated summary

Neural crest cells are a versatile stem cell population in vertebrates that can migrate and differentiate into various cell types during embryogenesis. While mammalian hearts lose their regenerative capacity shortly after birth, some vertebrate species, like zebrafish, can self-repair/regenerate after cardiac damage. Recent research has shown the potential of cardiac neural crest cells in cardiac regeneration, using different vertebrate species and pluripotent stem cell-derived neural crest cells. This review summarizes the regenerative capacity of the neural crest in various tissues and organs, focusing on the characteristics and roles of cardiac neural crest cells in cardiac regeneration. The article also discusses potential future applications of neural crest cells in disease treatment.