The ECM as a driver of heart development and repair

ABSTRACT The developing heart is formed of two tissue layers separated by an extracellular matrix (ECM) that provides chemical and physical signals to cardiac cells. While deposition specific ECM components creates diversity, the also dynamic, with modification degradation playing important roles in maturation function. In this Review, we discuss spatiotemporal changes composition during development support distinct aspects morphogenesis. We highlight conserved requirements for human development, emerging evidence a central role promoting regeneration.