Etv2 IS A MASTER REGULATOR OF HEMATOENDOTHELIAL LINEAGES

Ets transcription factors are important developmental regulators and have been shown to function as modulators of cell fate. We have previously discovered Ets variant 2 (Etv2) as an essential regulator of the hematoendothelial lineage. We have demonstrated that Etv2 mutant embryos are non-viable and lack hematoendothelial lineages. We have utilized gene editing technologies to define upstream regulators of the Etv2 gene and we and others have defined downstream target genes. Recent studies have demonstrated that Etv2, in combination with co-factors, promote a hematoendothelial fate in differentiating human-induced pluripotent stem cells. Collectively, these studies support the notion that Etv2 is a master regulator of the hematoendothelial lineages. Definition of these master regulators and the use of emerging technologies will provide a platform for engineering large animal models that will be useful for clinical research and regenerative medicine and will potentially impact the treatment of chronic vascular diseases.