Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Development of Blood Vessels

Development of Blood Vessels

The development of the vascular system in a fetus is a complex and intricate process that begins as early as 15 to 16 days post-conception. This process starts outside the embryo, specifically in the mesoderm of the yolk sac, chorion, and connecting stalk. Approximately two days later, the formation of blood vessels occurs within the embryo itself.
The initial formation of this system is facilitated by the small amount of yolk present in the ovum and yolk sac. Blood vessels originate from...

Mechanism of Angiogenesis

Mechanism of Angiogenesis

Blood vessel formation starts early during embryonic development, around day 7. In the extraembryonic yolk sac, mesodermal precursor cells called hemangioblast proliferate and differentiate into angioblast. Angioblasts express vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 or VEGFR2, which binds VEGF-A, a proangiogenic factor, guiding blood vessel formation. VEGF signaling promotes angioblasts to form a blood island in the developing embryo. Angioblasts further differentiate, giving rise to...

Fetal Circulation

Fetal Circulation

Fetal circulation is a unique system that facilitates the exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste products between the developing fetus and the mother. This intricate process takes place through a special organ called the placenta.
Two umbilical arteries transport blood from the fetus to the placenta. At the placenta, the blood absorbs oxygen and nutrients while simultaneously eliminating waste products. This oxygen-enriched and nutrient-rich blood then returns to the fetus through one...

Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply

Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply

Rapidly dividing tumors, embryos, and wounded tissues require more oxygen than usual, lowering the oxygen concentration in the blood. At low oxygen or hypoxic conditions, an oxygen-sensitive transcription factor called the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 or HIF1 is activated. HIF1 is a dimeric protein of alpha (ɑ) and beta (β) subunits. Under optimal oxygen conditions, HIF1β is present in the nucleus while HIF1ɑ remains in the cytosol. HIF1ɑ is hydroxylated by prolyl hydroxylase and factor...

Development of the Heart

Development of the Heart

The development of the human heart, a crucial organ, commences from the mesoderm on the 18th or 19th day after fertilization. This process initiates in the cardiogenic area, a group of mesodermal cells at the embryo's head end, which evolves into elongated strands known as cardiogenic cords. These cords undergo a transformation to form hollow-centered endocardial tubes.
As the embryo undergoes lateral folding, these paired tubes approach each other, merging into a single primitive heart tube by...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Kinetic and thermodynamic properties of phosphorothioate and phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligonucleotides binding to target RNA.

Journal of biochemistry·2026

Same author

Impact of Nucleotide Flexibility on Aptamer-Protein Recognition: RNA vs RNA-DNA Chimera.

ACS chemical biology·2026

Same author

Müller Cell Changes and Subretinal Membrane Formation in an Eye With Multifocal Geographic Atrophy.

Investigative ophthalmology & visual science·2026

Same author

Surface Plasmon Resonance Analysis for Evaluating ASO Targeting Structured RNA.

Methods and protocols·2026

Same author

Choroidal Vascular Findings in a Case of Multifocal Geographic Atrophy: A Clinicopathologic Correlation.

Investigative ophthalmology & visual science·2026

Same author

Dual-Mode Humidity Sensing Based on Intensity and Lifetime Modulation of Yb<sub>2</sub>(MoO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>3</sub>:Er<sup>3+</sup> Upconversion Phosphor.

ACS applied materials & interfaces·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Whole Mount Immunofluorescent Staining of the Neonatal Mouse Retina to Investigate Angiogenesis In vivo

Whole Mount Immunofluorescent Staining of the Neonatal Mouse Retina to Investigate Angiogenesis In vivo

Published on: July 9, 2013

The initial fetal human retinal vasculature develops by vasculogenesis.

D Scott McLeod¹, Takuya Hasegawa, Tarl Prow

¹The Wilmer Ophthalmologic Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland 21287-9115, USA.

Developmental Dynamics : an Official Publication of the American Association of Anatomists

|October 25, 2006

Summary

Resident angioblasts expressing CD39 and CXCR4 contribute to human retinal vasculogenesis. These cells differentiate into endothelial cells, advancing vessel formation in the developing fetal retina.

More Related Videos

Assessment and Characterization of Hyaloid Vessels in Mice

Assessment and Characterization of Hyaloid Vessels in Mice

Published on: May 15, 2019

In Vitro Model of Fetal Human Vessel On-chip to Study Developmental Mechanobiology

In Vitro Model of Fetal Human Vessel On-chip to Study Developmental Mechanobiology

Published on: July 28, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Whole Mount Immunofluorescent Staining of the Neonatal Mouse Retina to Investigate Angiogenesis In vivo

Whole Mount Immunofluorescent Staining of the Neonatal Mouse Retina to Investigate Angiogenesis In vivo

Published on: July 9, 2013

Assessment and Characterization of Hyaloid Vessels in Mice

Assessment and Characterization of Hyaloid Vessels in Mice

Published on: May 15, 2019

In Vitro Model of Fetal Human Vessel On-chip to Study Developmental Mechanobiology

In Vitro Model of Fetal Human Vessel On-chip to Study Developmental Mechanobiology

Published on: July 28, 2023

Area of Science:

Developmental Biology
Ophthalmology
Cell Biology

Background:

The role of hemangioblasts in embryonic vasculogenesis is established.
Contribution of resident angioblasts or endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) to human retinal vasculogenesis remains controversial.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the presence and role of resident angioblasts in human retinal vasculogenesis.
To identify specific markers and developmental patterns of these cells.

Main Methods:

Immunohistochemistry on fetal human retinas (6-23 weeks gestation).
Antibodies against CD34, CD31, CD39, and CXCR4.
Confocal microscopy, spectral analysis, and Ki67 labeling for proliferation.

Main Results:

Scattered CD39+ angioblasts expressing CXCR4 were found ahead of developing vasculature in fetal retinas.
These cells were located in the inner neuroblastic and putative ganglion cell layers.
CD39+ cells retained CD39 expression in newly formed vessels while down-regulating CXCR4.

Conclusions:

Resident angioblasts expressing CD39 and CXCR4 are crucial for human retinal vasculogenesis.
These cells differentiate and integrate into the retinal vasculature.
The study clarifies the cellular mechanisms underlying retinal blood vessel development.