Sex-specific angiogenic responses in endothelial cells-role of the pluripotency factor OCT4.

ABSTRACT: The study investigates the sex-specific effects of the pluripotency factor OCT4 deficiency in endothelial cells (ECs) on angiogenesis. OCT4 is known for its role in embryonic stem cells, but we recently found that it plays a protective role in ECs during atherosclerosis. Herein, we utilized cultured mouse aortic ECs (MAECs) and several in vivo models, including skin wounding, melanoma tumor implantation, and hindlimb ischemia, to explore the role of OCT4 in angiogenesis in both male and female mice. Our findings revealed significant sexual dimorphism in wild type mice, along with sex differences in responses to OCT4 deficiency across all three in vivo models. Male mice with endothelial Oct4 knockout had faster skin wound healing, increased vascularization, and quicker blood flow recovery a

SUBMITTER: Shin J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12700951 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature