Cultured stromal cells were characterized as being NG2+PDGFRβ+PDGFRα−/lowTbx18+ cardiac pericytes and were obtained both from atria of explanted DCM hearts (EDCM-CPc) and from normal, donor hearts (D-CPc); Figure 5A. In vivo, PDGFRβ+ cells display both a mural/perivascular and interstitial location (Figure 5B). Here, PDGFRA is linked to familial dilated cardiomyopathy.