The Role of Cilia in Heart Development and Disease
Abstract
Cilia are crucial for embryonic development and have been shown to mediate diffusion of signals or their sensing by cells. This is of potential importance for the formation of the heart, which involves the coordination of several cell types. Indeed, anomalies or dysfunction of cilia are associated with a broad spectrum of heart defects, with dramatic consequences for the circulation of the blood. Deciphering the role of cilia in the context of heart development will contribute to cilia biology, beyond the textbook view of a signalling hub, to specific spatiotemporal roles. It will also impact our understanding of congenital heart diseases.