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Updated: Jul 9, 2026

08:56
Isolation of Murine Embryonic Hemogenic Endothelial Cells
Published on: June 17, 2016
Two endothelial cell lines derived from the somite
1Zentrum für Kinderheilkunde und Jugendmedizin, Pädiatrie I, Georg-August-Universität Goettingen, Robert-Koch-Strasse 40, 37075, Goettingen, Germany. joerg.wilting@med.uni-goettingen.de
Anatomy and Embryology
|October 19, 2006
Summary
Vertebrate embryos
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Embryology
- Cell biology
Background:
- Somites are segmented blocks of paraxial mesoderm in vertebrate embryos.
- They establish segmental patterns along the cranio-caudal axis.
- Somites give rise to various mesodermal cell types, including endothelial cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the origin of blood vascular and lymphatic endothelial cells from somites.
- To identify the molecular markers and developmental timing of endothelial precursor cells within somites.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of gene expression patterns in somite-derived cells.
- Characterization of angioblasts and lymphangioblasts.
- Investigation of precursor cell origins and differentiation pathways.
Main Results:
- Two distinct endothelial cell lineages, blood vascular and lymphatic, originate from somites.
- Angioblasts express vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2.
- Lymphangioblasts express the transcription factor Prox1 and include two subtypes with different origins.
Conclusions:
- Somites are a crucial source for both blood vascular and lymphatic endothelial cells.
- Distinct molecular cues and developmental timing regulate the formation of these two endothelial lineages from somite precursors.
- Understanding these pathways is key to comprehending embryonic vascular development.

