CNIC researchers have discovered that the heart is formed from two independent cell types that act in synchrony from the onset of gastrulation. This finding could help to better understand the origin of certain congenital heart defects and open up new opportunities in regenerative medicine and tissue bioengineering.
The study, published in Nature Communications, shows that blockade of the protease MT4-MMP increases the activity of blood-patrolling monocytes in the circulation.