A role for partial endothelial-mesenchymal transitions in angiogenesis?

Area of Science:

• Cell biology
• Developmental biology
• Vascular biology

Background:

• Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transitions (EMT) are well-studied in development and pathology.
• Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transitions (EndoMT) are involved in heart valve formation and cancer-associated fibroblast generation.
• Angiogenic sprouting involves endothelial cells exhibiting partial EndoMT characteristics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the roles of EMT and EndoMT in developmental and pathological contexts.
• To highlight the significance of EndoMT in vascular biology.
• To discuss the regulatory checkpoint controlling full versus partial EndoMT.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and discussion of existing research.
• Analysis of signaling pathways and transcription factors involved in EMT and EndoMT.
• Focus on endothelial cell behavior during angiogenic sprouting.

Main Results:

• EndoMT shares signaling and transcription factors with EMT.
• Partial EndoMT during angiogenesis involves endothelial cells migrating as connected units.
• A critical regulatory checkpoint determines full or partial EMT/EndoMT, but its control is largely unknown.

Conclusions:

• EMT and EndoMT are fundamental processes with implications in both normal development and disease.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the regulatory mechanisms controlling the switch between full and partial EndoMT.
• Understanding these transitions is vital for advancing vascular biology and related pathologies.