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Updated: Apr 22, 2026
Visualization and Quantitative Analysis of Embryonic Angiogenesis in Xenopus tropicalis
Published on: May 25, 2017
Effect of interleukin 12 (IL-12) on embryonic development and yolk sac vascularisation
Insights
Interleukin-12 (IL-12) exposure during in vitro embryo culture significantly hinders yolk sac vascularization and embryonic development. This study demonstrates IL-12
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Embryology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Angiogenic diseases are increasing, characterized by abnormal blood vessel formation.
- Embryonic vascular development is crucial and occurs early in gestation.
- In vitro embryo culture models, like rat embryos (9.5-11.5 days), are valuable for studying vascularization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antiangiogenic effects of Interleukin-12 (IL-12) on yolk sac vascularization.
- To assess the impact of IL-12 on early embryonic development in vitro.
Main Methods:
- Rat embryos (9.5-11.5 days gestation) were cultured in vitro for 48 hours.
- Different concentrations of IL-12 (50, 100, 200 ng/ml) were added to the culture serum.
- Morphological assessments were performed to evaluate developmental parameters.
Main Results:
- IL-12 exposure significantly retarded embryonic development, including yolk sac diameter, crown rump length, and somite number.
- Poor development of yolk sac vascularization and the heart was observed in IL-12 treated groups.
- Developmental retardations were statistically significant compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Interleukin-12 exhibits significant antiangiogenic properties.
- IL-12 can impede embryonic development, likely through its antiangiogenic mechanism.
- This study highlights the potential role of IL-12 in regulating vascularization during embryogenesis.
Background:
In the recent days there has been an increase in diseases known as "angiogenic diseases" characterized by pathologic vascularisation. In the rat, the development of embryonic vessel starts to occur at 9.5 days of gestation. In mammals, the vascular system starts developing in a very early embryonic stage. The majority of rat embryo circulation system gets complete approximately at 11 - 12 days. Therefore the in vitro study of 9.5 - 11.5-day old embryo culture could be a suitable model to study the effects of angiogenic and antiangiogenic substances on yolk sac vascularisation. In the present study, the effects of Interleukin-12 (IL-12) on the yolk sac vascularisation are investigated during the in vitro embryo culture, where the latter angiogenic factor was added to serum.
Methods:
After 48-hour culture period, effects of different doses of IL-12 (50 ng/ml, 100 ng/ml, and 200 ng/ml) were estimated morphologically.
Results:
According to morphologic scoring system, the total morphologic score, yolk sac diameter, crown rump length, and somite number were retarded in all experimental groups when compared to control. These developmental retardations were statically significant. There was also a poor development in the yolk sac vascularisation and the heart.
Conclusion:
As a result, the IL-12 could cause developmental retardation of embryos owing to its antiangiogenic effect (Tab. 3, Fig. 2, Ref. 39).
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