Dataset Information

Clec14a genetically interacts with Etv2 and Vegf signaling during vasculogenesis and angiogenesis in zebrafish.

ABSTRACT:

Background

C-lectin family 14 Member A (Clec14a) is a transmembrane protein specifically expressed in vascular endothelial cells during embryogenesis. Previous in vitro and in vivo studies have provided conflicting data regarding Clec14a role in promoting or inhibiting angiogenesis, therefore its functional role in vascular development remains poorly understood.

Results

Here we have generated a novel clec14a mutant allele in zebrafish embryos using TALEN genome editing. clec14a mutant embryos exhibit partial defects and delay in the sprouting of intersegmental vessels. These defects in angiogenesis are greatly increased upon the knockdown of a structurally related C1qr protein. Furthermore, a partial knockdown of an ETS transcription factor Etv2 results in a synergistic effect with the clec14a mutation and inhibits expression of early vascular markers in endothelial progenitor cells, arguing that clec14a is involved in promoting vasculogenesis. In addition, Clec14a genetically interacts with Vegfa signaling. A partial knockdown of Vegfaa function in the clec14a mutant background resulted in a synergistic inhibition of intersegmental vessel sprouting.

Conclusions

These results argue that clec14a is involved in both vasculogenesis and angiogenesis, and suggest that Clec14a genetically interacts with Etv2 and Vegf signaling during vascular development in zebrafish embryos.

SUBMITTER: Pociute K

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6451255 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Clec14a genetically interacts with Etv2 and Vegf signaling during vasculogenesis and angiogenesis in zebrafish.

Pociute Karolina K Schumacher Jennifer A JA Sumanas Saulius S

BMC developmental biology 20190405 1

<h4>Background</h4>C-lectin family 14 Member A (Clec14a) is a transmembrane protein specifically expressed in vascular endothelial cells during embryogenesis. Previous in vitro and in vivo studies have provided conflicting data regarding Clec14a role in promoting or inhibiting angiogenesis, therefore its functional role in vascular development remains poorly understood.<h4>Results</h4>Here we have generated a novel clec14a mutant allele in zebrafish embryos using TALEN genome editing. clec14a mu ...[more]

PMID: 30953479

Similar Datasets

Project description:Vasculogenesis involves the differentiation of vascular endothelial progenitors de novo from undifferentiated mesoderm, their migration and coalescence to form the major embryonic vessels and the acquisition of arterial or venous identity. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (Vegf) signaling plays multiple roles during vascular development. However, its function during embryonic vasculogenesis has been controversial. Previous studies have implicated Vegf signaling in either regulating arteriovenous specification or overall vascular endothelial differentiation. To clarify the role of Vegf in embryonic vasculogenesis and identify its downstream targets, we used chemical inhibitors of Vegf receptor (Vegfr) signaling in zebrafish embryos as well as zebrafish genetic mutants. A high level of chemical inhibition of Vegfr signaling resulted in the reduction of overall vascular endothelial marker gene expression, including downregulation of both arterial and venous markers, ultimately leading to the apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells. In contrast, a low level of Vegfr inhibition specifically blocked arterial specification while the expression of venous markers appeared largely unaffected or increased. Inhibition of Vegfr signaling prior to the initiation of vasculogenesis reduced overall vascular endothelial differentiation, while inhibition of Vegfr signaling starting at mid-somitogenesis stages largely inhibited arterial specification. Conversely, Vegf overexpression resulted in the expansion of both arterial and pan-endothelial markers, while the expression of several venous-specific markers was downregulated. We further show that Vegf signaling affects overall endothelial differentiation by modulating the expression of the ETS transcription factor etv2/ etsrp. etv2 expression was downregulated in Vegfr- inhibited embryos, and expanded in Vegfaa-overexpressing embryos. Furthermore, vascular-specific overexpression of etv2 in Vegfr-inhibited embryos rescued defects in vascular endothelial differentiation. Similarly, vegfaa genetic mutants displayed a combination of the two phenotypes observed with chemical Vegfr inhibition: the expression of arterial and pan-endothelial markers including etv2 was downregulated while the expression of most venous markers was either expanded or unchanged. Based on these results we propose a revised model which explains the different phenotypes observed upon inhibition of Vegf signaling: low levels of Vegf signaling promote overall vascular endothelial differentiation and cell survival by upregulating etv2 expression, while high levels of Vegf signaling promote arterial and inhibit venous specification.

Dataset Information

Clec14a genetically interacts with Etv2 and Vegf signaling during vasculogenesis and angiogenesis in zebrafish.

Background

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Clec14a genetically interacts with Etv2 and Vegf signaling during vasculogenesis and angiogenesis in zebrafish.

Similar Datasets

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