Cai et al. reply (original) (raw)

Nature volume 458, pages E9–E10 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

Replying to: V. M. Christoffels et al. Nature 458, 10.1038/nature07916 (2009)

We recognized the importance of confirming data from Cre lineage studies with an alternative approach, and thus used a fluorescent dye to lineage-label epicardial cells. This approach confirmed that epicardial cells contributed to myocytes within the heart1. In our experiments, we never observed Tbx18 mRNA within ventricles at embryonic day E10.5 to E11.5, although our RNA signal in epicardium at these stages is at least as strong as that observed by Christoffels et al.2. We note a discrepancy between amount of RNA staining (broadly throughout the middle of the ventricle) and protein staining (much more restricted) that Christoffels et al.2 observe at early stages. Reasons for discrepancies between our RNA in situ data and that of Christoffels et al. are unclear. Christoffels et al.2 detect Tbx18 intronic sequences by RT–PCR of E11.5 IVS, but do not provide data to demonstrate mature Tbx18 mRNA. Notably, we did observe active expression of Tbx18 in non-myocytes after E11.5 (ref. 1).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. * Skaggs School of Pharmacy, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA. syevans@ucsd.edu ,
    Chen-Leng Cai, Yunfu Sun, Li Cui, Lei Yang, Lei Bu, Xiaoxue Zhang & Sylvia M. Evans
  2. † Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA,
    Jody C. Martin & Andrew McCulloch
  3. ‡ Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA,
    Kunfu Ouyang, Xingqun Liang, Ju Chen & Sylvia M. Evans
  4. § Department of Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, New York 10029, USA,
    Chen-Leng Cai
  5. ‖ Centre for Molecular Cardiology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, New York 10029, USA ,
    Chen-Leng Cai
  6. ¶ The Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, New York 10029, USA ,
    Chen-Leng Cai
  7. Complex Carbohydrate Research Centre, University of Georgia, Athens, 30602, Georgia, USA
    Lianchun Wang
  8. Developmental Neurobiology Programme, The Burnham Institute, La Jolla, 92037, California, USA
    William B. Stallcup
  9. Centre for Rheumatology, Royal Free and University College Medical School, Rowland Hill Street, NW3 2PF, London, UK
    Christopher P. Denton

Authors

  1. Chen-Leng Cai
  2. Jody C. Martin
  3. Yunfu Sun
  4. Li Cui
  5. Lianchun Wang
  6. Kunfu Ouyang
  7. Lei Yang
  8. Lei Bu
  9. Xingqun Liang
  10. Xiaoxue Zhang
  11. William B. Stallcup
  12. Christopher P. Denton
  13. Andrew McCulloch
  14. Ju Chen
  15. Sylvia M. Evans

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Cai, CL., Martin, J., Sun, Y. et al. Cai et al. reply.Nature 458, E9–E10 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature07917

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