Polysialic acid regulates glomerular microvasculature formation by interaction with VEGF-A188 in mice.

ABSTRACT: Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) is a key signalling protein that stimulates blood vessel development and repair. Its tight control is essential for organ development and tissue homeostasis. However, the complex regulatory network for balanced bioavailability of VEGF-A is not fully understood. Here, we assessed the role of the glycocalyx component polysialic acid (polySia) for kidney development and its potential interactions with VEGF-A isoforms, in vitro and in vivo, using mouse models of polySia deficiency. PolySia acts as negative regulator of cell adhesion, but also may interact with extracellular components. In murine kidney, polySia was identified on nephron progenitor and endothelial cell subsets in developing nephrons with declining expression during maturation. Loss

SUBMITTER: Niculovic KM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12103385 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature