Adherens junctions in endothelial cells regulate vessel maintenance and angiogenesis

Area of Science:

• Endothelial cell biology
• Vascular biology
• Cell adhesion molecules

Background:

• Cell-to-cell junctions, including tight and adherens junctions, regulate endothelial cell responses in both resting and growing blood vessels.
• Transmembrane adhesive proteins are key components of these junctions, initiating signaling cascades upon homophilic binding.
• Adherens junctions, particularly those involving VE-cadherin, are vital throughout the vasculature.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of VE-cadherin in endothelial integrity and angiogenesis.
• To elucidate the mechanisms by which VE-cadherin regulates endothelial cell functions.

Main Methods:

• In vitro and in vivo studies were employed to assess VE-cadherin function.
• Analysis of signaling pathways activated by VE-cadherin, including PI3K and Rac.
• Investigation of VE-cadherin's role in gene transcription and receptor complex formation.

Main Results:

• VE-cadherin is essential for maintaining endothelial integrity in quiescent vessels.
• VE-cadherin is required for the proper organization of newly forming blood vessels (angiogenesis).
• VE-cadherin regulates endothelial functions via direct signaling molecule activation, gene transcription modulation, and interaction with growth factor receptors like VEGFR-2.

Conclusions:

• VE-cadherin plays a critical role in both maintaining established vasculature and during the process of angiogenesis.
• Its regulatory functions involve diverse mechanisms impacting cell survival, cytoskeleton organization, gene expression, and receptor signaling.