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Vegf‐A signaling from the neural tube patterns vessels embryonically
Author(s) -
James Jennifer Michelle,
Hogan K A,
Ambler C A,
Bautch V L
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.20.4.a439-b
Subject(s) - neural tube , microbiology and biotechnology , vegf receptors , neuroscience , biology , medicine , embryo
At day 8.0 of mouse development (E8.0), the neural tube (NT) emits a molecular signal resulting in the recruitment of a peri‐neural vascular plexus (PNVP) and subsequent vessel ingression by E10.5. Chimeras of mouse pre‐somitic mesoderm (PSM) grafted into quail hosts revealed that somite‐derived angioblasts migrated toward the neural tube and were incorporated into the PNVP. Through a series of tissue culture experiments, the major component of this signal was determined to be VEGF‐A. Results show that no vascular plexus forms when murine NT are cultured with quail PSMs in the presence of pharmacological inhibitors of flk‐1, the main receptor of VEGF‐A. In addition, culturing PSMs in the presence of VEGF‐A is sufficient to induce vascular plexus formation. Taken together, these results show that VEGF‐A acts as a long range signal to recruit vessels to the developing nervous system. Current studies are aimed at further refining our model of VEGF‐A induced, vascular patterning of the central nervous system. To accomplish this goal, we are analyzing the VEGF‐A expression pattern in the NTs of VEGF‐LacZ mice. There is a strong correlation between VEGF‐A expression and vascular pattern early in development. In addition, quail in ovo electroporation is currently used to over‐express VEGF‐A in the NT of quail embryos with spatial and temporal regulation. Manipulation of VEGF‐A within this embryonic structure leads to vessel defects and midline patterning disruption. Research funded by NIH RO1 HL43174 (VLB) and NIH T32 HL69768 (JMJ).