SOST expression is restricted to the great arteries during embryonic and neonatal cardiovascular development.
Spatial-temporal regulation of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and Wnt activity is essential for normal cardiovascular development, and altered activity of these growth factors causes maldevelopment of the cardiac outflow tract and great arteries. In the present study, we show that SOST, a Dan family member reported to antagonize BMP and Wnt activity, is expressed within the medial vessel wall of the great arteries containing smooth muscle cells. The ascending aorta, aortic arch, brachiocephalic artery, common carotids, and pulmonary trunk were all associated with SOST expressing smooth muscle cells, while the heart itself, including the valves, and more distal arteries, that is, pulmonary arteries, subclavian arteries, and descending aorta, were negative. SOST was expressed from embryonic day 15.5 up to the neonatal period. SOST expression, however, did not correspond with inhibition of Smad-dependent BMP activity or beta-catenin-dependent Wnt activity in the great arteries. Activity of both signaling pathways was already down-regulated before induction of SOST expression.
van Bezooijen
Rutger L
RL
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands. r.l.van_bezooyen@lumc.nl
Deruiter
Marco C
MC
Vilain
Nathalie
N
Monteiro
Rui M
RM
Visser
Annemieke
A
van der Wee-Pals
Lianne
L
van Munsteren
Conny J
CJ
Hogendoorn
Pancras C W
PC
Aguet
Michel
M
Mummery
Christine L
CL
Papapoulos
Socrates E
SE
Ten Dijke
Peter
P
Löwik
Clemens W G M
CW
D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D000818:Animals; D001158:Arteries / Q000378:metabolism*; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000196:embryology* / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D005819:Genetic Markers; D006023:Glycoproteins; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D051379:Mice; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics*; D051153:Wnt Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D005819:Genetic Markers; D006023:Glycoproteins; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; C486030:Sost protein, mouse; D051153:Wnt Proteins