Determination of endothelial stalk versus tip cell potential during angiogenesis by H2.0-like homeobox-1.

ABSTRACT: Tissue branching morphogenesis requires the hierarchical organization of sprouting cells into leading "tip" and trailing "stalk" cells [1, 2]. During new blood vessel branching (angiogenesis), endothelial tip cells (TCs) lead sprouting vessels, extend filopodia, and migrate in response to gradients of the secreted ligand, vascular endothelial growth factor (Vegf) [3]. In contrast, adjacent stalk cells (SCs) trail TCs, generate the trunk of new vessels, and critically maintain connectivity with parental vessels. Here, we establish that h2.0-like homeobox-1 (Hlx1) determines SC potential, which is critical for angiogenesis during zebrafish development. By combining a novel pharmacological strategy for the manipulation of angiogenic cell behavior in vivo with transcriptomic analyses of sprout

SUBMITTER: Herbert SP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3471071 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature