Capillary pruning couples tissue perfusion and oxygenation with cardiomyocyte maturation in the postnatal mouse heart.

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Removal of poorly perfused capillaries by pruning contributes to remodeling the microvasculature to optimize oxygen and nutrient delivery. Blood flow drives this process by promoting the intravascular migration of endothelial cells in developing networks, such as in the yolk sac, zebrafish brain or postnatal mouse retina. Methods: In this study, we have implemented innovative tools to recognize capillary pruning in the complex 3D coronary microvasculature of the postnatal mouse heart. We have also experimentally tested the impact of decreasing pruning on the structure and function of this network by altering blood flow with two different vasodilators: losartan and prazosin. Results: Although both drugs reduced capillary pruning, a combination of experimen

SUBMITTER: Santamaria R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10661946 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature