title: Endothelial differentiation: molecular mechanisms of specification and heterogeneity.
abstract: A complex and diverse vascular system is requisite for the survival of higher organisms. The process of vascular development is highly regulated, involving the de novo formation of vessels (vasculogenesis), followed by expansion and remodeling of the primitive vasculature (angiogenesis), culminating in differentiation of endothelial phenotypes, as found in the mature vascular system. Over the last decade, significant advances have been made in understanding the molecular regulation of endothelial cell development and differentiation. Endothelial development, in particular the mechanisms in play during vasculogenesis and angiogenesis, is discussed in a sister review to this article. This review highlights the key pathways governing in endothelial differentiation, with a focus on the major molecular mechanisms of endothelial specification and heterogeneity.
authors.affiliation: Case Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Harrington-McLaughlin Heart and Vascular Institute, Cleveland, OH, USA.
authors.forename: G Brandon
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Atkins
authors.forename: Mukesh K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Jain
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hamik
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001158:Arteries / Q000196:embryology; D019521:Body Patterning; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics; D019070:Cell Lineage / Q000235:genetics; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006801:Humans; D042601:Lymphatic Vessels / Q000196:embryology; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000235:genetics; D010641:Phenotype; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014680:Veins / Q000196:embryology