Blood Flow in the Developing Heart Guides Maturation of Heart Valves
Perelman School of Medicine at the University of PennsylvaniaCongenital heart valve defects are the most common type of birth defect, the majority of which have no clear genetic cause, suggesting that epigenetic factors play an important role. Now, researchers have found that the shear force of blood flow against the cells lining the early heart valve sends signals for heart “cushion” cells to become fully formed valves.