Identification and prospective isolation of a mesothelial precursor lineage giving rise to smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts for mammalian internal organs, and their vasculature

Rinkevich, Weissman and colleagues show that mesothelin-expressing cells from the mesothelium, an epithelial monolayer covering vertebrate cavities and internal organs, generate the fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells (FSMCs) essential for the development of internal organs. Using a genetic lineage tracing approach, they find that these cells participate in generating FSMCs and vasculature, with minimal contributions from neural crest or circulating cells.