Cardiac Development and Patterning: Understanding Disease and Therapy

Cardiac development and patterning are fundamental biological processes that establish the structure, function, and lifelong performance of the heart. The heart is the first organ to form and function during embryogenesis, and its proper development requires the coordinated interplay of genetic programs, molecular signaling pathways, mechanical forces, and environmental cues. Patterning processes, such as chamber formation, septation, and conduction system specification, ensure that the heart develops a highly organized architecture essential for efficient circulation. Disruptions in these developmental programs can lead to congenital heart defects, arrhythmias, cardiomyopathies, and other cardiac disorders, underscoring the critical link between development and disease.

Recent advances have deepened our understanding of the mechanisms that govern cardiac morphogenesis and patterning. Research has revealed the roles of key signaling pathways such as Notch, Wnt, BMP, and Hippo in regulating cardiac progenitor cell fate, spatial organization, and functional maturation. Furthermore, studies on cardiac patterning have shed light on how mechanical forces and hemodynamic flow influence morphogenesis, and how developmental plasticity may be harnessed in regenerative therapies.

Understanding cardiac development and patterning not only illuminates the origins of heart disease but also provides a blueprint for therapeutic innovation. Integrating knowledge of cardiac developmental programs with disease mechanisms offers the potential to transform how we prevent, diagnose, and treat heart conditions.

This research topic will focus on, but is not limited to:

• Molecular and genetic mechanisms guiding cardiac development and patterning

• Signaling pathways regulating cardiogenesis and chamber specification

• Role of mechanical forces in heart morphogenesis

• Developmental origins of congenital heart disease

• Links between cardiac patterning defects and adult heart disease

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Cardiac Development, Heart Patterning, Congenital Heart Disease, Cardiogenesis, Regenerative therapy

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.