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The embryonic human choriocapillaris develops by hemo‐vasculogenesis
Author(s) -
Hasegawa Takuya,
McLeod D. Scott,
Bhutto Imran A.,
Prow Tarl,
Merges Carol A.,
Grebe Rhonda,
Lutty Gerard A.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
developmental dynamics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.634
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1097-0177
pISSN - 1058-8388
DOI - 10.1002/dvdy.21231
Subject(s) - vasculogenesis , biology , cd31 , embryonic stem cell , angiogenesis , cd34 , hemangioblast , microbiology and biotechnology , anatomy , pathology , andrology , haematopoiesis , stem cell , cancer research , genetics , progenitor cell , gene , medicine
The purpose of this study was to characterize normal human choroidal vascular development from 6–23 weeks gestation (WG). Markers of endothelial cells (EC) (CD34, CD31, vWf), angioblasts and EC (CD39), leukocytes (CD45), erythroblasts (epsilon chain of hemoglobin, Hb‐e), proliferating cells (Ki67), and VEGFR‐2 were employed. At 6–7 WG, many erythroblasts were observed within islands of precursor cells in the choriocapillaris layer and others were independent from the islands. Many erythroblasts (Hb‐ϵ + ) were also positive for EC markers and/or VEGFR‐2. By 8–12 WG, most of the Hb‐ϵ cells had disappeared and vascular lumens became apparent. At 14–23 WG, some EC were proliferating on the scleral side of choriocapillaris in association with forming deeper vessels. In conclusion, embryonic choriocapillaris appears to form initially by hemo‐vasculogenesis (blood vessels and blood cells form simultaneously from common precursors) while angiogenesis appears to be the mode of intermediate and large choroidal vessel development in the fetus. Developmental Dynamics 236:2089–2100, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.