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Epidermal growth factor-like domain 7 is a marker of the endothelial lineage and active angiogenesis.
- Source :
-
Genesis (New York, N.Y. : 2000) [Genesis] 2014 Jul; Vol. 52 (7), pp. 657-70. Date of Electronic Publication: 2014 May 02. - Publication Year :
- 2014
-
Abstract
- Epidermal growth factor-like domain 7 (Egfl7) expression in the developing embryo is largely restricted to sites of mesodermal progenitors of angioblasts/hemangioblasts and the vascular endothelium. We hypothesize that Egfl7 marks the endothelial lineage during embryonic development, and can be used to define the emergence of endothelial progenitor cells, as well as to visualize newly-forming vasculature in the embryo and during the processes of physiologic and pathologic angiogenesis in the adult. We have generated a transgenic mouse strain that expresses enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) under the control of a minimal Egfl7 regulatory sequence (Egfl7:eGFP). Expression of the transgene recapitulated that of endogenous Egfl7 at sites of vasculogenesis and angiogenesis in the allantois, yolk sac, and in the embryo proper. The transgene was not expressed in the quiescent endothelium of most adult organs. However, the uterus and ovary, which undergo vascular growth and remodeling throughout the estrus cycle, expressed high levels of Egfl7:eGFP. Importantly, expression of the Egfl7:eGFP transgene was induced in adult neovasculature. We also found that increased Egfl7 expression contributed to pathologic revascularization in the mouse retina. To our knowledge, this is the first mouse model that enables monitoring of endothelial cells at sites of active vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. This model also facilitated the isolation and characterization of EGFL7(+) endothelial cell populations by fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS). Together, our results demonstrate that the Egfl7:eGFP reporter mouse is a valuable tool that can be used to elucidate the mechanisms by which blood vessels form during development and under pathologic circumstances.<br /> (© 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)
- Subjects :
- Allantois metabolism
Animals
Calcium-Binding Proteins
EGF Family of Proteins
Endothelial Progenitor Cells cytology
Female
Mice
Neovascularization, Pathologic
Ovary growth & development
Ovary metabolism
Proteins metabolism
Retinal Vessels metabolism
Retinopathy of Prematurity metabolism
Uterus growth & development
Uterus metabolism
Yolk Sac metabolism
Cell Lineage
Endothelial Progenitor Cells metabolism
Neovascularization, Physiologic
Proteins genetics
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1526-968X
- Volume :
- 52
- Issue :
- 7
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Genesis (New York, N.Y. : 2000)
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 24740971
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1002/dvg.22781