Differentiation of endothelial barrier function during normal angiogenesis requires homotypic VE-cadherin adhesion

Endothelial cells express two principal cadherins: VE-cadherin and N-cadherin. We established previously that only VE-cadherin expression was increased during differentiation of barrier function by angiogenic endothelium of the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). Presently anti-VE-cadherin mAb, applied to the CAM at day 4.5 of gestation, served to inhibit the abrupt reduction of macromolecular extravasation that occurs normally at day 5.0. Neither anti-N-cadherin nor nonimmune IgG, on the other hand, prevented this temporal decrease of endothelial permeability. Despite the differential permeability responses, morphometric evaluations defined a reduction of mean paracellular cleft width after the application of either anti-VE-cadherin or anti-N-cadherin. Hence, alteration of molecular sieving characteristics within the junctional clefts, rather than modification of cleft dimensions; likely served as the principal modulator of macromolecular extravasation after inhibition of homotypic VE-cadherin adhesion. These results provide support to the concept that VE-cadherin contributes to the normal differentiation of endothelial barrier function during CAM angiogenesis in vivo.