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Ex Vivo Oculomotor Slice Culture from Embryonic GFP-Expressing Mice for Time-Lapse Imaging of Oculomotor Nerve Outgrowth
Published on: July 16, 2019
Repulsive axon guidance molecule Slit3 is a novel angiogenic factor
Bing Zhang1, Ursula M Dietrich, Jian-Guo Geng
1Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-4712, USA.
Blood
|September 11, 2009
Summary
Slit3, a molecule previously known for axon guidance, is a potent promoter of angiogenesis, essential for embryonic organ development. This discovery reveals Slit3
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Slit3 is a secreted molecule involved in non-neuronal development.
- Angiogenesis is critical for organogenesis during embryonic development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Slit3 in angiogenesis.
- To determine the molecular mechanisms by which Slit3 affects endothelial cells.
Main Methods:
- Expression analysis of Slit3 and its receptors (Robo1, Robo4) in vasculature.
- In vitro cellular function assays (proliferation, motility, chemotaxis, network formation).
- Ex vivo and in vivo angiogenesis assays.
- Analysis of Slit3 knockout mouse models.
Main Results:
- Slit3 is expressed by endothelial and smooth muscle cells and acts via Robo4 on endothelial cells.
- Slit3 significantly promotes endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and vascular network formation.
- Slit3 enhances neovessel sprouting ex vivo and blood vessel growth in vivo.
- Slit3 knockout mice exhibit impaired angiogenesis during embryogenesis.
Conclusions:
- Slit3 is a novel and potent angiogenic factor, distinct from its role in axon guidance.
- Slit3 plays a crucial role in promoting angiogenesis essential for embryonic organogenesis.
- Slit3 functions through interaction with Robo4 to regulate endothelial cell behavior.
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