Neural guidance molecules regulate vascular remodeling and vessel navigation.
The development of the embryonic blood vascular and lymphatic systems requires the coordinated action of several transcription factors and growth factors that target endothelial and periendothelial cells. However, according to recent studies, the precise "wiring" of the vascular system does not occur without an ordered series of guidance decisions involving several molecules initially discovered for axons in the nervous system, including ephrins, netrins, slits, and semaphorins. Here, we summarize the new advances in our understanding of the roles of these axonal pathfinding molecules in vascular remodeling and vessel guidance, indicating that neuronal axons and vessel sprouts use common molecular mechanisms for navigation in the body.
Eichmann
Anne
A
Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U36, Collège de France, 75005 Paris, France. anne.eichmann@college-de-france.fr
Makinen
Taija
T
Alitalo
Kari
K
D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000196:embryology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D036342:Ephrins / Q000502:physiology; D008208:Lymphatic System / Q000196:embryology*; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000502:physiology; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D000075388:Netrin-1; D039921:Neuropilins / Q000502:physiology; D039961:Semaphorins / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000502:physiology
D036342:Ephrins; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D039921:Neuropilins; D039961:Semaphorins; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; D000075388:Netrin-1