Hypoxia influences the vascular expansion and differentiation of embryonic stem cell cultures through the temporal expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors in an ARNT-dependent manner.

ABSTRACT: Adaptive responses to low oxygen (O(2)) tension (hypoxia) are mediated by the heterodimeric transcription factor hypoxia inducible factor (HIF). When stabilized by hypoxia, bHLH-PAS alpha- and beta- (HIF-1beta or ARNT) HIF complex regulate the expression of multiple genes, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). To investigate the mechanism(s) through which hypoxia contributes to blood vessel development, we used embryonic stem cell (ESC) differentiation cultures that develop into embryoid bodies (EBs) mimicking early embryonic development. Significantly, low O(2) levels promote vascular development and maturation in wild-type (WT) ESC cultures measured by an increase in the numbers of CD31(+) endothelial cells (ECs) and sprouting angiogenic EBs, but refractory in Arnt(-/-) an

SUBMITTER: Han Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2989499 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature