Distinct signalling pathways regulate sprouting angiogenesis from the dorsal aorta and the axial vei

Abstract

In zebrafish, angiogenic sprouts from the apposed dorsal aorta and vein emanate in opposite directions. Whereas growth from the dorsal aorta is modulated by VEGF signalling, BMP is shown to be a vein-specific angiogenic cue for vascular network formation during development. Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing vessels, is critical to most physiological processes and many pathological conditions. During zebrafish development, angiogenesis expands the axial vessels into a complex vascular network that is necessary for efficient oxygen delivery. Although the dorsal aorta and the axial vein are spatially juxtaposed, the initial angiogenic sprouts from these vessels extend in opposite directions, indicating that distinct cues may regulate angiogenesis of the axial vessels. We found that angiogenic sprouts from the dorsal aorta are dependent on vascular endothelial growth factor A (Vegf-A) signalling, and do not respond to bone morphogenetic protein (Bmp) signals. In contrast, sprouts from the axial vein are regulated by Bmp signalling independently of Vegf-A signals, indicating that Bmp is a vein-specific angiogenic cue during early vascular development. Our results support a paradigm whereby different signals regulate distinct programmes of sprouting angiogenesis from the axial vein and dorsal aorta, and indicate that signalling heterogeneity contributes to the complexity of vascular networks.

Cite this article

Wiley, D., Kim, JD., Hao, J. et al. Distinct signalling pathways regulate sprouting angiogenesis from the dorsal aorta and the axial vein. Nat Cell Biol 13, 686–692 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncb2232

View full text

>> Full Text:   Distinct signalling pathways regulate sprouting angiogenesis from the dorsal aorta and the axial vei