A specialized population of Periostin-expressing cardiac fibroblasts contributes to postnatal cardiomyocyte maturation and innervation
Luis Hortells, Íñigo Valiente-Alandí, Zachary M. Thomas, Emma J. Agnew, Dan Schnell, Allen J. York, Ronald J. Vagnozzi, Evan Meyer, Jeffery D. Molkentin, Katherine E. Yutzey
Abstract
Significance During the postnatal period, the heart undergoes important changes, including cardiomyocyte cell-cycle arrest and loss of regenerative capacity. While other cell types have been better characterized, the information related to postnatal cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) is limited. Here, we report a specialized population of highly proliferative periostin-expressing (Postn+) fibroblasts in the early postnatal heart that become quiescent at P30. In comparison, P7 Tcf21+ fibroblasts have distinct gene expression from Postn+ CFs. Notably, Postn+ CFs express proliferation and neuronal-related genes, while Tcf21+ CFs preferentially express extracellular-matrix–related genes. Ablation of Postn+ cells leads to reduced cardiomyocyte growth, mitotic activity, and binucleation with increased sympathetic nerve area. Thus Postn+ cells represent a specialized developmental CF population critical for postnatal cardiac maturation.