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ABSTRACT: Background
The cellular mechanisms regulating branching and growth of the intersegmental vessels (ISVs) are not well understood. We have carried out studies demonstrating that Hedgehog (Hh) signaling is a major regulator of intersomitic vessel growth.Results
Inhibition of Hh activity by cyclopamine completely blocks formation of intersomitic vessels in the avian embryo. Examination of gene expression patterns in Hh-deficient embryos shows that components of the VEGF and Notch signaling pathways are down-regulated. However, we find no evidence that Notch signaling plays a significant role in regulation of intersomitic vessel growth. Indeed, it appears that Hh modulation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, VEGF, is the primary regulator of growth of intersomitic vessels in the avian embryo.Conclusions
Inhibition of the VEGF pathway results in absence of ISVs, whereas stimulation of VEGF expression leads to precocious branching of ISVs. These results demonstrate that Hh is an essential modulator of VEGF expression during developmental angiogenesis.
SUBMITTER: Moran CM
PROVIDER: S-EPMC4747427 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jun
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Moran Carlos M CM Myers Candace T CT Lewis Cristy M CM Krieg Paul A PA
Developmental dynamics : an official publication of the American Association of Anatomists 20120502 6
<h4>Background</h4>The cellular mechanisms regulating branching and growth of the intersegmental vessels (ISVs) are not well understood. We have carried out studies demonstrating that Hedgehog (Hh) signaling is a major regulator of intersomitic vessel growth.<h4>Results</h4>Inhibition of Hh activity by cyclopamine completely blocks formation of intersomitic vessels in the avian embryo. Examination of gene expression patterns in Hh-deficient embryos shows that components of the VEGF and Notch sig ...[more]