Notch1 activation in mice causes arteriovenous malformations phenocopied by ephrinB2 and EphB4 mutants.

ABSTRACT: Notch signaling is essential for embryonic vascular development in mammals and other vertebrates. Here we show that mouse embryos with conditional activation of the Notch1 gene in endothelial cells (Notch1 gain of function embryos) exhibit defects in vascular remodeling increased diameter of the dorsal aortae, and form arteriovenous malformations. Conversely, embryos with either constitutive or endothelial cell-specific Notch1 gene deletion also have vascular defects, but exhibit decreased diameter of the dorsal aortae and form arteriovenous malformations distinctly different from the Notch1 gain of function mutants. Surprisingly, embryos homozygous for mutations of the ephrinB/EphB pathway genes Efnb2 and Ephb4 exhibit vascular defects and arteriovenous malformations that phenocopy the No

SUBMITTER: Krebs LT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2849749 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature