Restoring BMP4 expression in vascular endothelial progenitors ameliorates maternal diabetes-induced apoptosis and neural tube defects.

ABSTRACT: During mouse embryonic development, vasculogenesis initially occurs in the yolk sac, preceding neurulation. Our previous studies have demonstrated that maternal diabetes induces embryonic vasculopathy at early embryonic developmental stage by suppressing the expression of vascular growth factors including BMP4 (bone morphogenetic protein 4). This study aimed to determine whether restoring diabetes-inhibited BMP4 expression in Flk-1⁺ progenitors effectively prevented maternal diabetes-induced embryonic vasculopathy and NTDs. Transgenic (Tg) BMP4 expression in the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (Flk-1)-positive (Flk-1⁺) progenitors was achieved by crossing a Floxed BMP4 Tg mouse line with the Flk-1-Cre mouse line. Non-BMP4 Tg and BMP4 Tg embryos were harv

SUBMITTER: Cao S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7562732 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature