Title
Chemokine signaling guides regional patterning of the first embryonic artery
UMMS Affiliation
Program in Gene Function and Expression; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology; Program in Molecular Medicine
Date
10-3-2009
Document Type
Article
Medical Subject Headings
Animals; Aorta; Body Patterning; Chemokines; Endothelial Cells; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; Receptors, CXCR4; *Signal Transduction; Zebrafish
Disciplines
Genetics and Genomics
Abstract
The aorta traverses the body, yet little is known about how it is patterned in different anatomical locations. Here, we show that the aorta develops from genetically distinct endothelial cells originating from diverse locations within the embryo. Furthermore, chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 4a (cxcr4a) is restricted to endothelial cells derived from anterior mesoderm, and is required specifically for formation of the lateral aortae. Cxcl12b, a cxcr4a ligand, is expressed in endoderm underlying the lateral aortae, and loss of cxcl12b phenocopies cxcr4a deficiency. These studies reveal unexpected endothelial diversity within the aorta that is necessary to facilitate its regional patterning by local cues.
Rights and Permissions
Citation: Genes Dev. 2009 Oct 1;23(19):2272-7. Link to article on publisher's site