Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 1, 2026
09:58
A Method for Labeling Vasculature in Embryonic Mice
Published on: October 7, 2011
The FGF system has a key role in regulating vascular integrity
Masahiro Murakami1, Loc T Nguyen, Zhen W Zhuang
1Angiogenesis Research Center and Section of Cardiology, Dartmouth Medical School, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA.
The Journal of Clinical Investigation
|September 9, 2008
Summary
Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) signaling is crucial for maintaining blood vessel integrity. Disrupting FGF signaling in endothelial cells leads to junction breakdown, cell loss, and vascular disintegration.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Biology
- Cell Signaling
- Endothelial Cell Function
Background:
- Endothelial monolayer integrity is vital for blood vessel homeostasis and regulating permeability.
- The Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) system has known roles in various physiological and pathological conditions.
- The specific function of the FGF system in adult vasculature remains underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of FGF signaling in maintaining the integrity of the adult endothelial monolayer.
- To determine the consequences of disrupting FGF signaling on vascular structure and function in vivo and in vitro.
Main Methods:
- Disruption of FGF signaling using soluble FGF traps or dominant-negative FGF receptor inhibitors.
- Experiments conducted on bovine aortic endothelial cells and human saphenous vein endothelial cells in vitro.
- In vivo studies performed on endothelial cells from adult mice and rats.
Main Results:
- Inhibition of FGF signaling caused dissociation of the VE-cadherin/p120-catenin complex.
- Adherens and tight junctions disassembled upon FGF signaling disruption.
- This led to endothelial cell loss, impaired barrier function, and vascular disintegration.
Conclusions:
- FGF signaling is essential for maintaining vascular integrity in the adult endothelium.
- Disruption of FGF signaling severely compromises endothelial barrier function and leads to vascular breakdown.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Regulation 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...
01:16Clot Retraction and Fibrinolysis
After a fibrin clot is formed, the next step is clot retraction, a vital process facilitated by platelet contractile proteins, such as actin and myosin. These proteins pull the fibrin strands closer together and condense the clot. This action reduces the size of the clot, creating a smaller, denser structure that effectively seals off the damaged vessel. Clot retraction consolidates the clot and helps with wound healing by bringing the edges of the damaged blood vessel closer together.
01:20Overview of the Vascular System
The vascular system comprises an extensive network of arteries, capillaries, and veins. The vascular system can be broadly divided into the blood and lymphatic systems. Typically, blood vessels can be categorized into three histological regions: tunica intima, tunica media, and tunica adventitia. The tunica intima consists of a single layer of endothelial cells attached to the basal lamina. Underlying the basal lamina is a connective tissue layer and an elastic lamina that gives stability and...
01:10Mechanism 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...
01:07Development 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...
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...
01:22Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal
Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular carcinoma receptor (Eph) and its ligand, Eph receptor-interacting protein (Ephrin) were first discovered in the human carcinoma cell line, hence the name. Ephrin-Eph interaction guides cells to reach their appropriate location in adult tissues. They also play an essential role in the immune system by helping in immune cell migration, adhesion, and activation. Based on their structure and function, Eph is divided into two classes — EphA and EphB.