Perfusion-independent regulation of epithelial pattern formation by the vasculature during organ development and regeneration is of considerable interest for application in restoring organ function. During murine submandibular salivary gland development, the vasculature co-develops with the epithelium during branching morphogenesis; however, it is not known whether the vasculature has instructive effects on the epithelium. Using pharmacological inhibitors and siRNA knockdown in embryonic organ explants, we determined that VEGFR2-dependent signaling is required for salivary gland epithelial patterning. To test directly for a requirement for endothelial cells in instructive epithelial patterning, we developed a novel ex vivo cell fractionation/reconstitution assay. Immuno-depletion of CD31 endothelial cells in this assay confirmed a requirement for endothelial cells in epithelial patterning of the gland. Depletion of endothelial cells or inhibition of VEGFR2 signaling in organ explants caused an aberrant increase in cells expressing the ductal proteins K19 and K7, with a reduction in Kit progenitor cells in the endbuds of reconstituted glands. Addition of exogenous endothelial cells to reconstituted glands restored epithelial patterning, as did supplementation with the endothelial cell-regulated mesenchymal factors IGFBP2 and IGFBP3. Our results demonstrate that endothelial cells promote expansion of Kit progenitor cells and suppress premature ductal differentiation in early developing embryonic submandibular salivary gland buds.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1242/dev.142497 | DOI Listing |
STAR Protoc
January 2025
Department of Experimental Vascular Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Atherosclerosis & Ischemic Syndromes, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven and Leuven Cancer Institute (LKI), 3000 Leuven, Belgium. Electronic address:
The endothelium is the gatekeeper of vessel health, and its dysfunction is pivotal in driving atherogenesis. Here, we present a protocol to replicate endothelial-macrophage crosstalk during atherogenesis, called the "atherogenesis-on-chip" model, based on the Emulate dual-channel perfusion system. We describe a model for studying endothelial-macrophage interactions during atherogenesis in human aortic endothelial cells and human macrophages using qPCR and secretome analysis, fluorescence microscopy, and flow cytometry.
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January 2025
Divison of Molecular and Vascular Biology, IRDA, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-0811, Japan. Electronic address:
Angiogenesis begins as endothelial cells migrate, forming a sprouting tip and subsequent growth-rich stalk cells. Here, we present a protocol for transcriptomic and epigenomic analyses of tip-like cells in cultured endothelial cells. We describe steps for stimulating human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) with vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) to generate tip-like cells.
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January 2025
State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China. Electronic address:
Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) provide a powerful platform for generating hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) and investigating hematopoietic development. Here, we present a protocol for maintaining hPSCs and inducing their differentiation into HPCs through the endothelial-to-hematopoietic transition (EHT) on vitronectin-coated plates. We outline steps for evaluating the efficiency of HPC generation and assessing their potential to differentiate into various hematopoietic lineages.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Biochem Mol Toxicol
January 2025
Laboratory of Translational Medicine in Microvascular Regulation, Medical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital; Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medicine in Microvascular Ageing; Laboratory of Future Industry of Gene Editing in Vascular Endothelial Cells of Universities in Shandong Province, Jinan, China.
Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal which induces vascular disorders. Previous studies suggest that Cd in the bloodstream affects vascular endothelial cells (ECs), potentially contributing to vascular-related diseases. However, the molecular mechanisms of effects of Cd on ECs remain poorly understood.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Biochem Mol Toxicol
January 2025
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Jingzhou Hospital Affiliated to Yangtze University, Jingzhou City, Hubei Province, China.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a severe cardiovascular disease (CVD) that is partly attributable to endothelial dysfunction, inflammatory response, and angiogenesis. G protein-coupled receptor 4 (GPR4), a proton-sensitive G protein-coupled receptor that is abundantly expressed in vascular endothelial cells, has been associated with numerous physiological functions. Nevertheless, its potential involvement in the development of AAA remains unexplored.
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